Domestic Worker Health Insurance: Costs & Requirements

Domestic worker health insurance helps employers in Saudi Arabia provide healthcare coverage for their domestic workers according to the benefits and limits specified in the insurance policy. Under the regulations of the Council of Health Insurance (CHI), health insurance becomes mandatory when an employer has more than four domestic workers.

Before purchasing a policy, it is important to understand the insurance requirements, medical benefits, exclusions, prices, healthcare provider networks, and applicable deductibles or copayments. Comparing these factors helps employers choose coverage that meets their workers' healthcare needs while staying within their available budget.

What Is Domestic Worker Health Insurance?

Domestic worker health insurance is a policy that covers eligible medical expenses according to its terms, conditions, and coverage limits. These expenses may include primary healthcare, hospitalization, emergency treatment, and medical examinations, depending on the benefits provided under the selected insurance plan.

This coverage helps employers manage eligible medical expenses while allowing domestic workers to receive healthcare services through approved medical provider networks, subject to the terms of the policy.

Domestic worker health insurance differs from domestic worker employment contract insurance. Health insurance focuses on medical expenses, while employment contract insurance covers certain financial obligations and compensation, such as specific cases of work interruption or inability to fulfill contractual responsibilities, according to its policy terms.

Understanding this distinction is important when evaluating the different types of insurance associated with domestic employment.

Is Health Insurance Mandatory for Domestic Workers in Saudi Arabia?

Yes. Mandatory health insurance for domestic workers registered under an employer officially took effect on July 1, 2024, when the employer has more than four domestic workers.

This means the requirement applies to employers with five or more domestic workers under their sponsorship, rather than those with only four workers.

To better understand the rights and obligations of employers and domestic workers, you can review theDomestic Workers Regulations in Saudi Arabia.

The Council of Health Insurance has also clarified that the general requirements include submitting a medical disclosure form, obtaining approval from the insurance company, and providing coverage for all domestic workers when the mandatory insurance requirement applies.

Health insurance procedures are also linked to the issuance or renewal of residence permits, according to the applicable procedures.

Employers with four or fewer domestic workers are not subject to the mandatory insurance requirement based solely on exceeding the four-worker threshold. However, they should verify whether any additional insurance requirements apply to their workers' specific circumstances or residence status.

What Are the Requirements for Domestic Worker Health Insurance?

The general requirements for obtaining a domestic worker health insurance policy include the following:

• Employer and worker information: Provide the employer's identification details and the required personal information of the domestic workers, including identification or residence permit details.

• Medical disclosure: Complete the medical disclosure form required by the insurance company.

• Insurance company approval: Meet the insurer's eligibility conditions and obtain approval for the requested coverage.

• Coverage for all eligible workers: Ensure that all domestic workers subject to mandatory insurance requirements are included in the policy.

• Payment of insurance premiums: Pay the approved premium according to the quotation and the terms of the insurance policy.

Additional information and documentation requirements may vary depending on the insurance provider, application method, and worker's circumstances.

Therefore, employers should review the requirements displayed through the chosen insurance application platform before submitting their requests, rather than relying on a general document checklist as a final requirement for every case.

What Does Domestic Worker Health Insurance Cover?

According to the domestic worker insurance policy published by the Council of Health Insurance, the covered benefits include primary healthcare, general healthcare services, and emergency medical treatment.

The policy also includes hospitalization without cost-sharing, emergency treatment at outpatient clinics with an unlimited number of visits, vaccinations, and medical examinations.

However, actual access to these benefits remains subject to the terms, conditions, and coverage limits of the insurance policy.

Some commercial insurance plans may offer additional benefits, such as:

• Dental treatment.

• Vision care and optical services.

• Physiotherapy.

• Hearing aids.

These additional benefits are not necessarily included in every insurance plan. Some may be subject to specific financial limits, while others may be excluded entirely from certain packages.

Employers should carefully compare the available plans to determine which benefits are included and whether any restrictions apply.

What Are the Exclusions and Coverage Limits?

Purchasing a domestic worker health insurance policy does not mean that every medical service is covered without restrictions.

Before selecting a plan, employers should review the following:

• The maximum annual medical coverage limit.

• The deductible, copayment percentage, or amount payable by the insured person when receiving healthcare services.

• The approved network of hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies.

• Coverage limits for additional benefits, such as dental and vision care.

• Excluded medical conditions and services specified in the policy.

• Medical disclosure requirements and prior authorization rules for treatments requiring approval.

When it comes to chronic illnesses or pre-existing medical conditions, employers should not automatically assume that these conditions are either covered or excluded.

Instead, they should review the approved policy wording, medical disclosure requirements, and insurance company approval conditions before purchasing the policy.

How Much Does Domestic Worker Health Insurance Cost?

The cost of domestic worker health insurance varies depending on the selected plan, coverage limits, additional benefits, deductibles, copayments, and the insurance provider's terms.

Therefore, there is no single fixed price that applies to every domestic worker in Saudi Arabia.

When planning your overall budget, it is important to distinguish between health insurance costs and recruitment expenses.

You can review our guide to thecost of recruiting a domestic worker to understand the expenses associated with domestic worker recruitment.

To make an accurate comparison, request updated quotations from licensed insurance companies or approved insurance comparison platforms.

Then evaluate the available options according to the following factors:

Avoid choosing a health insurance policy based solely on its low price.

A more expensive plan may provide better value if it includes a wider healthcare provider network or additional benefits that the domestic worker is likely to need.

How to Get Health Insurance for Domestic Workers in Saudi Arabia

Obtaining domestic worker health insurance begins with comparing available offers and purchasing a policy through a licensed insurance company or approved insurance platform.

Follow these steps:

1. Determine whether insurance is required: Check the number of domestic workers registered under your sponsorship and confirm whether mandatory health insurance requirements apply.

2. Choose an authorized insurance provider: Visit the website of a licensed insurance company or use an approved comparison platform offering domestic worker health insurance plans.

3. Enter the required information: Provide the employer's details and information about the domestic worker or workers who need coverage. Complete any additional fields requested by the platform.

4. Complete the medical disclosure: Submit the required medical disclosure form and wait for the insurance company's approval according to its procedures.

5. Compare policies before paying: Review the premium, coverage limits, healthcare provider network, deductibles, copayments, and exclusions before completing payment.

6. Keep a copy of the policy: Verify the insured workers' details, coverage start date, and expiration date. Save a copy of the policy for future reference.

Domestic worker health insurance procedures are also associated with issuing or renewing residence permits.

Therefore, employers should confirm that all requirements related to the worker's residence status have been completed.

For more information about the relevant procedures, read our guide torenewing a domestic worker's residence permit through Absher, which explains renewal requirements, fees, and application steps.

How to Choose the Best Health Insurance for Domestic Workers

Choosing the best domestic worker health insurance depends on the worker's healthcare needs and the conditions of the policy, rather than price alone.

Employers should focus on the following factors:

• Medical coverage: Choose coverage limits and benefits that match the worker's anticipated healthcare needs.

• Healthcare provider network: Make sure the plan includes suitable hospitals and clinics in the city where the domestic worker resides.

• Deductibles and copayments: Compare the amount payable when using medical services, not just the annual insurance premium.

• Chronic and pre-existing conditions: Review the medical disclosure requirements, coverage terms, and exclusions before purchasing.

• Ease of administration: Check how easily the policy can be issued or renewed, how claims are submitted, and the availability of customer support.

• Policy conditions: Carefully read the coverage limits and exclusions, and request clarification of any unclear provisions before making payment.

Health insurance comparison platforms can help employers review multiple offers in one place.

However, the final decision should be based on the official insurance policy issued by the insurer, rather than relying only on the marketing description of an insurance package.

How to Check Domestic Worker Health Insurance Status

To check the status of a domestic worker's health insurance, start by reviewing the issued insurance policy.

Verify the worker's name, residence permit number, coverage start date, and expiration date.

You can also contact the insurance company or the platform through which the policy was issued to confirm its current status or correct inaccurate information.

If you need to verify regulatory requirements or approved healthcare providers, consult the official website of the Council of Health Insurance.

For information about specific medical benefits, covered treatments, and claims, the primary references are the insurance policy and the terms established by the issuing insurance company.

Frequently Asked Questions About Domestic Worker Health Insurance

Does Domestic Worker Health Insurance Cover Chronic Diseases?

Coverage for chronic diseases depends on the terms of the approved insurance policy, medical disclosure requirements, and the insurance company's approval.

Before purchasing a policy, carefully review the provisions relating to chronic illnesses, pre-existing medical conditions, and exclusions.

Do not assume that every medical condition is automatically covered.

Can Health Insurance Be Transferred When a Domestic Worker's Sponsorship Is Transferred?

Employers should not assume that an existing insurance policy automatically transfers when a domestic worker's services are transferred to a new employer.

Contact the insurance company to verify the coverage status and determine whether any additional procedures are required.

It is also important to ensure that the insurance remains valid and reflects the new employer's information and the worker's updated employment status.

What Is the Difference Between Health Insurance and Domestic Worker Employment Contract Insurance?

Domestic worker health insurance covers eligible healthcare expenses within the limits and conditions specified in the insurance policy.

By contrast, domestic worker employment contract insurance provides specific financial compensation under the terms of the insurance contract.

Depending on the policy, these benefits may relate to certain cases of absence from work, refusal to work, or other financial obligations.

Each type of insurance has its own policy, benefits, coverage conditions, and exclusions.

Take the Next Step Toward Suitable Insurance for Your Domestic Workers

Before purchasing domestic worker health insurance, carefully compare medical benefits, prices, coverage limits, and policy conditions to choose a plan that meets your workers' needs and your budget.

If you are also exploring domestic worker recruitment services, you can contact Al Nojoom Al Momayza Recruitment Company in Tabuk to learn about the available recruitment options and find a solution that suits your family's requirements.

Once you have selected the appropriate service, you cansubmit a recruitment request to proceed with the recruitment process.