Job Discussion Forums

[scot47]

How many of us in Saudi have decent health cover through our employers ? Once again I recently had reason to thank the insurance company who provides health cover at our place. We have to pay a bit and it is voluntary but I am pleased that I had some cover.

What do the rest of you do ? Word is that health insurance will soon be compulsory for all non-Saudi employees. Private sector first and then in government jobs.

For those coming to KSA it is one of the factors to look at in the package.

[Cleopatra]

In each of the jobs I've had in KSA (private and public sector), comprehensive health insurance has been provided as a matter of course. It has always been free, and has covered most if not all potential medical expenses.

Let's hope that with membership of the WTO - which some people on this board seem to think is a branch of Amnesty International - the Saudis don't go down the US route of creating haves and have-nots where health insurance is concerned.

[007]

Employees with the private sector in SA are not entitled to health treatment in the government hospitals.

�The issuance of iqamas (resident permits) will also be linked to health insurance as the Passport Department will not issue or renew iqamas if they are not covered by health insurance.�
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?col=&section=middleeast&xfile=data/middleeast/2007/June/middleeast_June495.xml

[canadashirleyblue]

I had to pay 10% of the bill. The medical insurance I had was actually quite inclusive. They gave me several pages detailing what was included and what wasn't. I got my arthritis drugs, antibiotics, cough medicine, pain killers etc., x-rays, cortisone injection, electrocardiogram, blood tests all covered. No echocardiogram though. That was the only thing I needed that I would have had to pay for.

[scot47]

The Health Insurance paid for my open heart surgery. Well I paid the first 30 Saudi Riyals !