Emergency health support for foreign visitors introduced
Assistance will be available when a visitor’s health insurance coverage limit for emergencies is exhausted, their health insurance policy expires, or if the visitor doesn’t have any health or travel insurance documentation
Financial Services Authority of Oman has announced a new set of regulations aimed at providing emergency healthcare to visitors.
The decision, issued by Sultan bin Salem al Habsi, Chairman of Board of Directors of the authority, is based on the provisions of the Insurance Companies Law enacted via Royal Decree No 12/79.
The newly issued regulations mandate the creation of a specialised ‘Visitors' Treatment Account in Emergency Cases’. This account will facilitate financial assistance for non-omani individuals entering the sultanate through land, sea or air ports for short visits, ensuring they receive necessary medical care in emergencies.
Under these regulations, an account management committee will be established within the authority, appointed by its executive president. The committee will be responsible for reviewing healthcare assistance applications, verifying required documents and data, assessing health condition of patients, and potentially directing them to appropriate health institutions.
The committee is authorised to engage health insurance claims management companies to scrutinise the authenticity of aid requests and manage financial compensation.
Article 6 of the decision outlines specific circumstances under which aid can be disbursed. Assistance will be available when a visitor's health insurance coverage limit for emergencies is exhausted, their health insurance policy expires, or if the visitor doesn’t have any health or travel insurance documentation.
Article 7 states aid will not be extended to GCC citizens visiting Oman for less than three months or members of official sports and cultural delegations visiting the country.
Applications for aid must be submitted to the committee with necessary documentation, including visit visa, proof of emergency health condition requiring hospitalisation, and evidence of the visitor's inability to finance the emergency treatment certified by the visitor’s embassy.
The decision is set to be effective 90 days following its publication in the Official Gazette, marking a proactive step by the Omani government to ensure the safety and well-being of international visitors during their stay in the country.