MUSCAT: Health insurance companies in Oman must cover the cost of medical tests and treatment of coronavirus (COVID-19) patients who have health insurance policy, the country’s Capital Market Authority (CMA) said.

In a circular issued to all the health insurers in Oman on Sunday, CMA, which regulates the insurance industry said they must cover the cost of medical tests and treatment of insured patients infected with coronavirus up to the annual limits of their respective policies when they receive treatment in any hospitals. 

The circular issued by Sheikh Abdullah Salim Al Salmi, Executive President of CMA said this is being done “given the importance of the role played by insurers in providing the required support for the community and the economy during the pandemic.” 

‘Bear all costs of medical tests and treatment’

A copy of the CMA’s circular which is available with The Arabian Stories, also said that insurance companies must bear the costs of medical services for all insured who show symptoms of COVID-19 when receiving treatment in any hospitals.  “Insurance companies shall bear the costs of medical tests and treatment of insured who are currently receiving treatment in any hospitals, effective from the date of the issuance of this circular,” CMA added. 

The circular includes a price list and treatment guidelines approved by the Ministry of Health.

The direction from CMA comes after Oman’s health minister His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Al Saidi had clarified that the private sector companies (sponsors) have a legally mandated responsibility to bear the cost of coronavirus treatments of expat employees. “An expat who has a sponsor must bear the costs of treatment. If a resident (who does not have a sponsor) cannot pay for treatment for any reason, the government will ensure he gets treatment,” the Minister said during his interactions with the media.   

Oman’s total coronavirus cases touched 11,437 on Sunday, of which 199 patients are now in hospitals.