In view of the increasing number of foreign tourists in Saudi Arabia, the kingdom has further extended health insurance coverage up to SR 1 lakh.
According to the terms of the insurance policy, which has been approved by the Saudi Council of Health Insurance, foreign tourists would be guaranteed access to health services only in emergency cases, local media reported. However, the definition of ’emergency’ is a grey area and not easily understood by most ordinary people.
The health insurance policy specifies the type of services covered and the reimbursable expenses, with a maximum coverage limit of SR 1,00,000. According to the terms and conditions of the policy, reimbursable expenses are the actual costs of essential medical services and treatment, as well as medicines and equipment, provided that they have been prescribed by a licensed physician for an illness suffered by the insured.
Reimbursable expenses include emergency cases such as hospitalisation, medical examinations, diagnosis, treatment and medication. It also covers cases of premature babies, which are covered under the mother’s cover and are subject to the mother’s maximum benefit.
Dental treatment is also covered, but only in emergencies, including fillings, treatment of nerve damage, treatment of abscesses and necessary medication.
It also covers medical evacuation within and outside the Kingdom, pregnancy and childbirth, road accident injuries, emergency dialysis and the cost of repatriating the body of a deceased visitor to their country of origin.
Tourist health insurance can be obtained by visiting the unified Arab platform for issuing visas and filling in the tourist visa application form.
According to the procedure, the health insurance is valid from the date of issuance of the tourist visa, and the insurance policy guarantees tourists access to emergency health services from a network of health care providers approved by the Health Insurance Council in all regions of the Kingdom.
