Visitors eligible for on-arrival visas advised to buy health cover in advance

Visitors eligible for on-arrival visas in Qatar have been advised to purchase a health insurance policy in advance to ensure speedy completion of their procedures upon arrival in Qatar, according to information available on the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) website.
The MoPH Saturday announced that the implementation of the first phase of the mandatory Health Insurance Scheme in Qatar will begin on February 1, with all visitors to the country required to have a health insurance policy.
​This is in accordance with Law No. 22 of 2021 regarding the regulation of healthcare services within Qatar, which stipulates that all visitors shall be covered by the mandatory Health Insurance Scheme. The scheme will be implemented in phases to ensure a smooth rollout. The first phase will start with visitors to Qatar on February 1. The details of the procedures and list of MoPH-registered can be found here.
"Your health matters; therefore, we offer you health insurance that cover​​s you during your stay in Qatar to provide you with excellent healthcare services. The health and well-being of visitors are our utmost priority; therefore, the government has established the necessary regulations to ensure that you are protected against accidents and medical emergency related conditions during your stay," the webpage states.
Visitors applying for a visit visa through the website of the Ministry of Interior, or via the Metrash2 app, will be directed to the website of the Ministry of Public Health where they can select one of the insurance companies registered with the MoPH to purchase the visitors’ policy after completion of all other relevant visa requirements. The list of insurance companies are available here.
Once the insurance policy is issued by the selected insurance company, the Ministry of Interior will issue the appropriate visit visa. The effective date of coverage is the date of entry of the visitor at any border. If the visitor wishes to extend his/her stay in Qatar, then he/she must purchase a new health insurance policy.
Regarding visitors eligible for on-arrival visas at the border crossings of Qatar, the webpage says: "In order to ensure speedy completion of your procedures upon arrival at the various border crossings (airport, land and seaports), please purchase a visitor insurance policy before arriving at these ports from the MoPH link provided, and follow the same procedures mentioned."
The premium for the mandatory visitors’ health insurance policy is QR50 per month. It covers emergency and accident services. The visitor can purchase additional coverage (top-ups) as desired for extra premiums to be determined by the insurance companies.
The webpage also explains what the policy covers:

• Emergency medical treatment:

- Up to QR150,000 for the policy period and within Qatar.

• Emergency medical assistance with a sub-limit of QR35,000, includes:

- Emergency ambulance transportation within Qatar, and where necessary.
- Medical evacuation to the individual's country of residence.

• Covid-19 and quarantine:

- Sub-limit up ​to QR50,000.
- Covid-19 treatment for positive cases.
- Quarantine expenses (for confirmed cases) are up to QR300 per day.
No waiting period is required under this document.

• Repatriation:

in the event of the visitor's death within Qatar, the cost of repatriation is covered up to an amount of QR10,000. No copayment or deductibles required for any covered services as per the terms and conditions stipulated in the visitor's health insurance policy. Those with queries or seeking more information can contact the MoPH helpline, 16000 – Extension No. 1, dedicated to health insurance; or the international number, 0097444069963​. They can also find answers to FAQs here.