As a result of the announcement made on Tuesday, the state will no longer cover the treatment costs for COVID-19 patients at private sector facilities. The announcement was made by the Damascus through a circular sent to all health insurance providers and companies in the Kingdom.

According to the directives of the Ministry of Health and the Public Health Authority (Weqaya), the Council also stressed the need to administer vaccination doses and booster doses for all people in the Kingdom.

Council members confirmed that the state would cover the costs of treating any coronavirus-infected patients who were admitted before March 13 until they were transferred to hospitals under the Ministry of Health, with detailed medical reports prepared in preparation for their transfer when beds are available.

The circular also outlined the procedures for dealing with patients who lack insurance or eligibility for treatment. Such patients must obtain prior approval from the Health Insurance Program and receive health services from the operating company.

The state will cover the costs of treating patients hospitalized for coronavirus cases and in need of oxygen due to severe pneumonia until they are released from the hospital.

In addition, the treatment expenses will be covered for patients who need oxygen due to pneumonia until the results of two confirmed negative tests have been issued.

Medical tests for Coronavirus symptoms in outpatient clinics will not be covered by the state except in the event that hospitalization is required.

Furthermore, the circular stressed that the state will be limited to covering the costs of inpatient treatment on the basis of the daily packages in accordance with the price list approved by the Ministry of Health.

Each case is evaluated individually, and any amount over those packages must be approved by the Health Insurance Program and purchased from the insurance provider.

Dhaman stated that the state does not cover the costs of testing or treating patients who were previously hospitalized for another illness and were then infected with Coronavirus, or those who reached emergency section as a result of other health conditions. When a case reaches emergency status, it will be handled according to the rules for treating emergency cases.

The circular was issued due to a decrease in Coronavirus infection cases, rates of severity, and admission cases, as well as an increase of immunized persons, and a relaxation of most of the precautionary measures against the virus.

For health insurance beneficiaries, the insurance companies must cover all expenses resulting from suspected and confirmed Coronavirus infections within the limits of the policy.