Bupa Global and Doha Insurance Group have signed a strategic partnership agreement to provide international private health insurance (PMI) products and solutions in the Qatari market.
Health & Protection understands the move comes as a part of new mandatory requirements from the Qatar government.
Under the agreement, during this year existing Bupa Global customers will transition to Qatari products insured by Doha Insurance Group.
Bupa Global said it will continue to provide administration services for these customers as part of the partnership arrangement along with access to its Blua app.
The regulatory changes made by the Qatar government are designed to ensure all residents and visitors have access to essential medical services.
Health insurance coverage is mandated for all non-Qatari nationals and visitors. Additionally, employers are required to enrol non-Qatari employees and family members into health insurance.
Other international insurance groups have already entered similar partnerships, including Cigna with Qatar-based Al Khaleej Takaqful Insurance and UnitedHealthcare Global with Qatar-based QLM Life & Medical Insurance.
Transition to Qatari products
Bupa Global said the partnership will deliver three plans:
- Global Health Plans for individuals and families with four different levels – Select, Premier, Elite, and Ultimate.
- Business Health Plans for small- to medium-sized businesses, covering employees and their dependents, again with four levels to choose from: Select, Premier, Elite, and Ultimate.
- Company Health Plans for large corporations to cover employees and dependents with several tiers available.
Insured customers will also gain access to Bupa Global’s healthcare network and its Blua app.
Bupa told Health & Protection that while the scheme in relation to temporary visitors to Qatar has been implemented, the detailed implementing regulations for non-Qatari nationals living in Qatar have not yet been published.
Bupa said: “When the scheme is fully operationalised we expect that only private insurers registered as such by the Qatari regulatory authorities will be permitted to offer private health insurance products in line with the requirements of the scheme.”
Bupa said: “Bupa Global’s partnership with Doha Insurance Group will allow us together to provide locally compliant international health insurance propositions that meet the requirements of the mandatory health insurance scheme once fully operationalised. “
It added: “By working with a locally licensed insurer, we are ready to meet the new mandatory health scheme requirements in the country.“
It said: “This partnership strengthens our position in the Qatar market by ensuring we can deliver tailored products and the high levels of service to more customers.“
Dean Pollard, general manager for Middle East and Asia at Bupa Global said: “This alliance strengthens our presence in Qatar and aligns with our strategy to deliver innovative healthcare solutions to more people around the world.
“By working with a locally licensed insurer, we are ready to meet Qatar’s new mandatory health scheme requirements.”
Jassim Ali A. Al-Moftah, CEO of Doha Insurance Group added the insurer was excited about the strategic venture.
“By combining our expertise, we look forward to providing innovative, high-quality insurance products that enhance the wellbeing of our customers,” he said.
Bupa said the health insurance market in Qatar is expected to see significant growth in coming years, driven by the country’s expanding healthcare infrastructure and increasing demand for high-quality medical services.
The insurer cited projections from Statista that the market size in gross written premium was predicted to reach US$1.25bn in 2024 and US$1.36bn in 2025 with an annual growth rate of more than 7%.
