Rights of expats for Insurance in Saudi Arabia

There are certain rights given to expat workers with regards to insurance in Saudi Arabia as per CCHI rules and Article 144 of Saudi Labor Law.

Insurance for Workers

Article 144 of Saudi Labor Law, the employer is responsible for providing medical insurance in Saudi Arabia to all his workers from the date of joining the company, including the probation period.

Insurance for Wife and Children

As per Article 14 of the CCHI rules, it is the right of an expat worker to ask for health insurance for his wife and children under the following conditions;

• Insurance for only 1 wife.
• The wife and children are Iqama holders.
• The son is less than 25 years old.
• The daughter is unmarried and non-working (no restriction for age).

In case both the husband and wife are working in the private sector, then the children shall enjoin the health insurance coverage provided by the husband’s employer.

However, the employer is not responsible to pay for the insurance of the following relations;

• The wife and children on a family visit visa in Saudi Arabia. 
• Father, mother, brothers, and sisters of the employee.

Source: CCHI Rules

Insurance coverage

Infant Formula Milk

The insurance companies cover the infant formula milk in Saudi Arabia with the following conditions;

• Formula milk is required from a medical perspective. It means that not providing formula milk could cause damage to the infant.
• The milk is prescribed by a doctor.
• The child is under 24 months old.
• You can read the detailed rules here.
• Source: CCHI

Circumcision for baby boy

Q: Does the mother’s insurance cover male circumcision?

A: The unified cooperative health insurance policy in Saudi Arabia covers the cost of male circumcision up to a maximum of SR 500. The child can take this treatment within one month of birth on his mother’s insurance and after that on his own insurance. 

Surgery for Obesity

Q: Does Insurance cover the surgery for Obesity?

A: Yes, the surgery for obesity by gastric (sleeve) operation is covered by the insurance companies in Saudi Arabia with the following conditions;

• When the Body Mass Index (BMI) exceeds 45.
• Maximum allowed limit: SR 20,000.
• Source: CCHI

LASIK Surgery

Q: Does Insurance cover laser surgery for vision correction?

A: Unfortunately, the unified cooperative health insurance policy does not cover LASIK or laser surgery for the vision correction of the eyes.

Eye Glasses

Q: Does health insurance cover the cost of eyeglasses?

A: The unified cooperative health insurance policy in Saudi Arabia covers the cost of eyeglasses with a maximum of SR 400. However, 

• The employer can make a contract with the insurance company to increase the cost to be reimbursed to employees. 
• SR 400 is the minimum coverage for eyeglasses in Saudi Arabia.
• Source: CCHI

Work-Related Injury

Q: Is work-related injury covered by health insurance?

A: Unfortunately, any injury sustained in the workplace is not covered by the cooperative health insurance in Saudi Arabia;

• Because it is covered under GOSI benefits.
• Therefore, it is recommended not to tell your doctor if the injury is sustained at the workplace. Otherwise, he would request you to pay in cash.
• Source: CCHI

Autism Treatment

Q: Does the standard policy cover autism treatment?

A: The unified cooperative health insurance policy in Saudi Arabia covers autism treatment with a maximum limit of SR 50,000. Your employer can negotiate with the insurance company to increase the limit.

Treatment Outside Saudi Arabia

Q: Does the cooperative health insurance policy covers treatment outside Saudi Arabia?

A: The insurance coverage in the cooperative health insurance policy is limited to Saudi Arabia. However, the employer can add the benefit of the coverage outside Saudi Arabia in the insurance contract.