Cigna Partners with AlKhaleej to Deliver Health Insurance in Qatar

In this iPMI Global Insights article, iPMI report author, Ian Youngman looks at a recent deal out of Qatar, between Cigna and AlKhaleej Takaful Insurance. Ian Youngman is a writer and researcher specialising in insurance. He writes regularly for a variety of magazines, newsletters, and on-line services. He publishes a range of market reports, and undertakes research for companies. To read his latest report, International Health Insurance 2023, please click here, or visit the REPORTS section of iPMI Global.

News

• AlKhaleej Takaful Insurance, a listed Qatari-based Company and Cigna Healthcare, a global health insurance provider, have partnered to deliver a broad range of health insurance solutions in Qatar. 
• AlKhaleej Takaful Insurance has been a leading Takaful insurance company in Qatar since 1978 that offers insurance products and services compliant with Islamic Sharia principles.
• The collaboration reflects the companies’ vision to ensure the physical well-being of individuals by facilitating their access to healthcare services. 
• Cigna brings its global solutions and is committed to providing innovative and user-friendly tools to manage healthcare.
• AlKhaleej Takaful will act as a local insurer and offer local administrative and compliance support and assistance to clients in Qatar.
• Jerome Droesch, Chief Executive of Cigna International Markets Business for Domestic Health and Health Services, said, “This partnership ensures that we can offer people in Qatar the high-quality service, benefits and healthcare access that our clients expect from Cigna Healthcare.” 
• Abdulla Bin Ali Al-Assiri, Chief Executive Officer of AlKhaleej Takaful Insurance Company, said, “As we embark on this strategic alliance, our vision remains steadfast—to provide our customers with access to international healthcare products that cater to their evolving needs, whereby we aim to set new benchmarks in healthcare insurance services in Qatar by providing employers, families, and corporates with access to the highest quality care and protection.”

Analysis

• The partnership follows the introduction of mandatory health insurance for non-nationals and visitors by Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health last year.
• Cigna does not have an office in Qatar.
• AlKhaleej Takaful Insurance only operates in Qatar.
• AlKhaleej Takaful Insurance does not offer health insurance other than through this partnership.
• The Healthcare Services Law No. 22 of 2021 introduces a mandatory health insurance cover for non-Qatari employees and their families, as well as foreign visitors for the duration of their stay allowing them to receive medical services.
• The Executive Regulations 2022 stipulate that mandatory health insurance including basic and additional cover, can only be provided by insurers licensed by the Qatar Central Bank (QCB) and registered with the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH).
• International health insurers can no longer provide cover for members in Qatar through licensed intermediaries in the Qatar Financial Centre or the State, as was previously the position.
• Qatar is a country with a small but increasing population of 3.06 million at September 2023 according to the Planning and Statistics Authority.
• Qatar (Arab) nationals make up less than 15% of the total population, followed by other Arab (13%), Indian (24%), Nepali (16%), Filipino (11%) and Bangladesh and Sri Lankan (5% each).
• There are 250,000 Filipinos in the country, making them the third largest group of expatriates.

What Next?

• Of the big global names only Allianz, Fairfax’s GIG, and MetLife have local offices.
• Liva plans to open in Qatar and offer individual and group PMI.
• Oman Insurance as Sukoon Insurance will partner with a local insurer to offer corporate PMI and IPMI.
• There are local competitors but expect at least one other global insurer to set up or partner locally.