Bahrain Health Insurance Law

A long-term plan aimed at introducing an umbrella national health insurance scheme will be put into effect via Bahrain Law No. 23/2018, which was passed on 30 May 2018. This legislation consolidates the otherwise fragmented state of the various laws and provisions overseen by the Ministry of Health. In Bahrain, healthcare is provided for in Article 8 of the Constitution of Bahrain. Through analysing Bahrain Law No. 23/2018, in particular the establishment of a Health Insurance Fund, this commentary elucidates the scope of and the obligations of institutions under Bahrain Law No. 23/2018.

Definitions

• Health service provider: A governmental or non-governmental institution or facility licensed to engage in and provide health services.

• Emergency cases: The cases resulting from injury or illness that - absent rapid intervention - may cause to death or disability.

• Insurance provider: the Health Insurance Fund and Insurance Companies licensed under the provisions of Bahrain Law No. 23/2018.

• Beneficiary: Each natural person covered by insurance under the provisions of this law.

• Resident: Each foreign natural person having a residence permit in the Kingdom.