Insurance companies here have slammed some private firms for defrauding them for medical insurance purposes. This includes getting medical coverage for individuals not working for them, according to some directors of insurance companies. Bassim Awdah, director general of the Arabic Shield Company, told Al-Watan newspaper that “insurance companies can't verify and confirm the identity of the employees of a company that will be insured. But many companies are exerting great efforts to put an end to this”. Insurance companies cannot expand their medical coverage to include Saudis because such insurance is not obligatory, Awdah added. But the medical coverage for expatriates is expanded because it's required by law, Awdah explained. Lutfi Al-Zain, executive director of Medgulf Insurance Company, said: “Private-sector companies try to circumvent and manipulate the law to get medical coverage for the employees who don't work for them. The market this year has not grown a lot compared to the last two years because many insurance companies provide medical insurance now.” Dr. Abdullah Al-Maghlouth, an economic expert, called for an independent commission to supervise the insurance market. “The commission will play an important role in settling insurance disputes and implementing awareness programs. It will also set up a training institute and information center that can be used for different purposes.”
