Update: This legislation will start as early as mid-2020.
On 24 March 2019, Oman’s Capital Market Authority (CMA) issued legislation introducing compulsory health insurance for private sector employees and visitors. Resolution No 34/2019 – For the Issue of Unified Healthcare Insurance Policy Form, is expected to provide healthcare for more than 2 million employees and visitors in Oman. The new law determines mandatory basic minimum health coverage and additional optional health insurance coverage, which can include maternity, dental and vision benefits. The inpatient and outpatient mandatory basic coverage limit under the policy is OMR 4,500 per year.
Employers are only required to provide the basic minimum coverage to their employees and families (spouses and children under age 21). Visitors are required to obtain visitor coverage as part of the entry process. Employers have the option to fully pay the health insurance premiums or to require deductibles be paid by the employee for certain medical services. Since the basic minimum health coverage is low, employers may consider increasing coverage for their employees.
