The health insurance market in the Kingdom is unaffected by the recent turmoil involving the US insurance giant American International Group Inc. (AIG). The Saudi health insurance market has been progressing well and as of today around 4.7 million foreigners living in the country are insured at a total value of SR3.9 billion, said Dr. Abdullah I. Al-Sharif, Secretary General of the Cooperative Council of Health Insurance (CCHI). “The health insurance sector is an important industry in the Kingdom and we do not face any problem following the news of the AIG financial crisis,” said Dr. Sharif. He said the mandatory health insurance scheme is going ahead as per schedule. On Monday, September, 15, the CCHI launched its fifth implementation plan for companies that employ 50 or less workers. With its completion, the first phase of the three-phase mandatory health insurance scheme will have been achieved successfully, he said. The second and third phases of the health insurance scheme will respectively cover domestic helpers and housekeepers and Saudis working in the private sector, Dr. Sharif said. The CCHI has introduced a helpline – 92001177 – called IVR or Interactive Voice Response, a service that besides offering comprehensive information on the Kingdom's health insurance sector will also register people's complaints. He said anybody whose company does not follow the mandatory health insurance rules can register a complaint by simply talking to an attendant or sending a fax detailing the company name, address and other contact details. The complaint will be processed through CCHI in collaboration with the Labor Ministry. Action against the erring company or any malpractices by the healthcare provider will be dealt with accordingly, he said. He said the help line has recently introduced a soft trial and can receive calls from any part of the Kingdom. When Saudi Gazette called the helpline the attendants were quick to respond both in Arabic or English and ready to register any complaints of violation of rules. The service also offers all health insurance related information that includes the names of qualified health insurance companies, and healthcare service providers, and it welcomes suggestions from callers. During Ramadan the help line operates from 10 A.M. to 3.30 P.M. and 8 P.M. to 1.30 A.M. The help line has so far received around seven complaints from people who have not received medical coverage from their companies. __
