JEDDAH — Healthcare experts said providing all-inclusive health insurance to Saudis working in the private sector will save the country SR38 billion. Othman Al-Rabiah, a former deputy minister of health, said health insurance has been available to all private sector employees, Saudis and non-Saudis, and their families since 2005. “The current health insurance provided to Saudis in the private sector only covers regular checkups and seasonal fevers and infections. One of the reasons why there isn't a better health insurance package for Saudis with more coverage is that experts are skeptical about its necessity,” said Al-Rabiah. He added that experts are still debating whether it is necessary to provide Saudis with additional health insurance plans when all government health services are accessible to them free of charge. King Abdulaziz University faculty member Hasan Saleh Jamal said Saudis working in the private sector should receive a health insurance equal to their peers in the public sector as is the case in most countries of the world. Health insurance and health management expert Rida Mohammad Khalil said many people are still not convinced about the necessity of health insurance for all Saudis. “The law does not prevent health insurance companies from approaching individuals directly. The citizen and the insurance company can draw up a contract after prices are set and the benefits are clarified,” said Khalil. He added that 20 million Saudis are in need of health insurance for themselves and their families. Only 20 percent of them actually have health insurance provided by private sector companies. “Before providing health insurance, there are several conditions that need to be fulfilled. The medical services network needs to expand to all cities and villages of the Kingdom to ensure that all citizens have access to medical treatment,” said Khalil. He continued that the public health sector needs to develop its information database system to accommodate the health insurance companies' system. “There should also be trained staff in health insurance in all health centers in the Kingdom. The maximum coverage limit needs to increase to cover fatal diseases and injuries and disastrous accidents,” said Khalil. He also said health insurance policies should have a separate emergency fund to cover cases exceeding the maximum coverage. “We also need to raise awareness among citizens of their rights and responsibilities in health insurance. To ensure transparency and justice between hospitals and patients, health insurance must be dealt with a separate government entity and fund,” said Khalil. Health insurance expert Abdulilah Saati said because private sector Saudi employees struggle to receive health insurance, the burden on public sector medical services has increased. “The burden on the public sector medical services is overwhelming and is costing the country a lot. There is a need for a very extensive study on the future of health insurance for the growing number of citizens. The way I see it, there is a raw and prolific market for health insurance in the Saudi investment market at the moment,” said Saati.
