Muscat, Dec 23 - Construction sector and SMEs will initially be exempted from the mandatory health insurance in the private sector, said Ahmed al Maamari, Director General of Insurance, Capital Market Authority (CMA).
“We are trying to avoid added financial stress on these two sectors in view of the current economic scenario,” said Al Maamari.
The government decided last year health insurance should be provided to all employees — both Omanis and expatriates — in the private sector.
The company/employer has to provide the health insurance. As per regulations, family members and anyone dependent on the expat employee will be required to be insured in agreement between employer and employee.
CMA is working with the Ministry of Manpower, the Ministry of Health, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) and other entities in building the infrastructure for implementation of the health insurance scheme.
“The implementation of the regulation will be gradual,” Al Maamari said.
“We will begin with the international companies and then proceed to other categories depending on size of the company and number of employees.”
“We have drafted a unified health policy for blue collar employees and want to make sure it is fair for all parties,” he said. The stages of implementation will be announced early 2019.
Visitors to Oman will also be required to insure themselves during their stay in the country once the regulations come into force. “CMA is working with ROP to implement the mechanism to impose insurance on visitors.”
“We need to develop the insurance industry in the country. When there is demand, the supply will emerge, bringing in vertical and horizontal investments. This will also develop the healthcare providers in the private sector. This development will also encourage more Omanis to take up private sector jobs. It is also part of human rights protection. In addition, the facility will enhance the productivity of employees,” said Al Maamari.
The CMA is also working on anti-fraud measures to monitor the cost. Care is being taken to ensure the services and benefits will not be concentrated in Muscat alone, but throughout the Sultanate.
“There are challenges,” said the Director General of Insurance at CMA.
“Public awareness has to be enhanced and fraudulent cases need to be brought down. We need to ensure the insurance companies provide best customer service while private sector hospitals provide best healthcare. There is also an element of lack of trust between the two sectors, which needs to be worked on. Medical practitioners and insurers should also be better regulated in building a common system for protecting the rights of all parties,” explained Al Maamari.
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