Obtaining Qatar health insurance for visitors is mandatory for anyone who needs a visa to enter the country. Others don’t have to get it during the first 30 days of their stay. Still, the government recommends obtaining at least insurance that covers emergencies, so that in case something unexpected happens, you won’t have to pay thousands of Qatari Riyals out of pocket and will be able to get help immediately. So, here are step-by-step instructions on what to do if you have a medical emergency in Qatar while insured. 

Mandatory visitors’ insurance protects in case of accidents and acute medical emergencies. Accidents are any sudden, external, unusual, and specific events that happen at an identifiable time and place independently of other causes. They appear as a physical bodily injury. Accidents can also be:

• Asphyxia or injuries resulting from exposure to gases or vapors, immersion, or submersion, or from the consumption of liquid or solid matter other than foods

• Injuries as a consequence of surgical procedures or medical treatments resulting from a policy-covered accident

• Infections resulted from a policy-covered accident

Visitors’ insurance covers a maximum of QAR 150,000 for accidents and acute medical emergency-related treatments. Out of that, QAR 35,000 can be used for emergency ambulance transport within Qatar and medical evacuation to the country of residence, when necessary. 

Repatriation of mortal remains is covered up to QAR 10,000. There is also special COVID-19 coverage, of up to QAR 50,000, for inpatient and outpatient treatments and pharmacy.

Policy coverage:

In short, if you require urgent medical attention while in Qatar, you need to open your policy and contact the number stated there. Then, follow the operator's instructions for seeking help.

The process is pretty straightforward: 

1. Contact 8 000 742 

2. Provide your policy number 

3. Follow their instructions for seeking medical assistance

Upon purchasing a visitor insurance policy, you’ll receive an email with a PDF document you can save. The document will include the information about what to do in case of an emergency, including the numbers to call. If you have an accident, call 8 000 742 and explain the situation. 

An upside to visitors’ insurance is that you likely won’t have to pay for anything out of pocket if you have a medical emergency. In most cases,  QLM Life & Medical Insurance Company, a company that assists all claims-related inquiries for QIC, will handle it in cooperation with Hamad Medical Corporation, the primary healthcare provider in Qatar.  

Once you contact one of the numbers from your policy and provide your policy number, a representative will guide you through everything and refer you to the nearest clinic. There are no wait times for policy activation — you will be able to visit the clinic immediately. Don’t forget to bring your passport to the clinic.

The reimbursement limit for accidents and emergencies is QAR 150,000. There is also an excess of QAR 250. The excess is the agreed amount the insured person pays towards a claim and is deducted from the total refund amount.