Health insurance services at the crossroads
f there is growth in the health insurance sector in terms of subscription of policies and value of instalments, then it means there is a dire need of it in society and people want it implemented in a more humane and practical manner.
Health insurance needs a lot of efforts to match the same facilities in other countries. It requires a number of steps to be taken to increase the number of companies working in the sector to ensure more competition which helps improve the health insurance services. This has already been tried successfully in many other countries.
The Ministry of Health and the Public Authority of Capital Market should give the subject priority and make it a point to convince people to go in for health insurance. This will reduce the burden on the public sector health services.
The improvements in the private sector health services through investments primarily depend on the capabilities of the health insurance system in any country, as it is considered the foundation on which investments are made.
Apparently, there are some insurance companies that put strict terms and conditions and guide the insured people according to their own interests.
They tell hospitals not to treat a patient without their prior approval, as if the diseases, injuries or deaths can be scheduled or rescheduled according to their wishes.
The growth in the health insurance sector in any society is a healthy phenomenon. It indicates the level of awareness in society. Therefore, it is a positive investment. It is unfortunate this sector has not been given equal attention.
Indications that more and more people are opting for health insurance is promising. Statistics indicate that in the Sultanate, the ratio of those insured expatriates has increased to 10 per cent and in the case of Omanis it is nine per cent. It is modest, but it shows there is ample opportunity for growth.
If we compare insurance policies in the Sultanate with those in other countries, we find there is no scope for any comparison in any of their work. They provide “open treatment facilities” in all hospitals around the world for all ailments without any restrictions such as the eye or dental problems.
If we have to get prior approvals — which normally should be after the treatment and after the patients come back home — there would always be a dispute over the bills between the patients and the insurance companies.
There is car insurance in the Sultanate which gets guarantees in case of any collision or accidents and which result in some injuries which cost hugely to the insurance companies. They are not as important as the health of a human being.
We expect the authorities to revisit the health insurance services and policies and try to understand the difference between insurance for a car and a human being.
At a time when efforts are being made to make the health insurance common, speed up the process and legislations to cover all under it, it is important to give protection to individuals from health hazards.
A man or a woman may face such a thing without knowing it in advance and suddenly they are caught in a situation when they don’t have the money to deal with it.
If the human factor is given prominence in the health insurance policies, it will help it grow further and attract more investments in the private sector health services.
If the health insurance authorities are taking decisions that strengthen the sector and are in the interests of the common people, they should implement it so that benefits reach those who deserve it on time.