Health insurance companies in Bahrain

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Bahrain Health Insurance Advice for Expatriates

Globalsurance is a client-focused international health insurance broker. Our team is committed to offering up-to-the-minute advice on health care plans, mostly focused on expatriates and foreign travelers, completely free of charge. Our business model puts the client and policyholder first – we want what’s best for you, not the insurance companies.

That being said, Globalsurance has established a strong reputation as a reliable advisor and has developed lasting relationships with the major international health insurance groups. Our clients are able to leverage our relationship and experience with these providers in order to get the best insurance products for their specific needs.

Contact one of our advisors for more information on health care and insurance policies in Bahrain, the Middle East or anywhere else in the world.

Healthcare System News

Like many of its neighbors in the Middle East, Bahrain has benefited enormously from the discovery of huge petroleum deposits within its borders. Also like many of its neighbors, Bahrain is increasingly moving towards diversification in order to reduce the country’s economic dependence on oil and gas deposits, and has started looking at opportunities in financial services and tourism (including medical tourism).

Bahrain consistently tops quality of life rankings in the Gulf, given its high levels of wealth, education, health, culture and leisure pursuits. The country’s economy has achieved consistent growth, not entirely tied to the price of barrels of oil. Bahrain has achieved high marks for its free market at low level of corruption.

Like many oil-rich nations, Bahrain has faced difficult questions regarding the responsible distribution of its wealth. In 1960, Bahrain introduced universal public healthcare free of charge to Bahrainis and subsidized the cost of care to foreigners residing in-country. Bahraini health care has led to great gains in the country’s overall health, as life expectancy has increased in the past five decades, while instances of infant and maternal mortality have plummeted. Today, Bahrain’s main public health concerns are the diseases associated with modernity and wealth, such as cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular health problems. Obesity is on the rise in a country where driving automobiles is the main form of transport, and an abundance of unhealthy food has replaced the traditional diet.

The World Health Organization has applauded Bahrain’s health care program for its equity and quality. Support for the country’s health care programs starts at the top, and the well-funded universal healthcare program has excellent infrastructure, talented healthcare professionals and invests in the latest healthcare technology. Hence, Bahrain has become something of a regional hub for healthcare tourism. The country’s main healthcare challenge is preventative care, and the Ministry of Health has spearheaded a number of initiatives to promote exercise, a healthy diet and smoking cessation programs.

In terms of health risks for visitors to Bahrain, road traffic accidents are the number one cause of fatalities after cardiovascular disease. The low cost of fuel, high number of sports cars and lax enforcement of traffic violations make traffic accidents fairly common. According to the U.S.-based Center for Disease Control, leishmaniasis, a parasite-transmitted skin disease is also an apparent risk in the region. Furthermore, political unrest has also emerged as a potential danger to visitors to Bahrain in the wake of the Arab Spring revolts beginning in 2011.

Culturally, Bahrain is an Islamic nation, with a rich heritage of literature, art, and architecture to go along with it. However, the country has embraced modernity more than its Persian Gulf neighbors; for example, since 2006, the weekend holiday is observed on Friday and Saturday to overlap with most of the rest of the world, instead of Thursday and Friday in the Islamic tradition.

Bahrain is becoming an increasingly important player in the global world of sports. Many foreign visitors to Bahrain come for sporting events, such as Formula 1 and other high-profile motor sports events. Controversially, a number of naturalized Bahrainis have achieved global prominence in athletics and track & field, which has been derided as “buying medals” by critics of the practice. Bahrain’s football (soccer) league is becoming a destination for soon to be retired European and Latin American stars, as salaries can be very high. Like most wealthy Gulf nations, horse racing is also a very popular pursuit.

In Bahrain, education is required of all children up to age 14 and is provided free of charge by the state. Bahrainis often complete part of their tertiary education abroad, and foreign universities have begun to open campuses in the kingdom, often as joint ventures with local institutions. Interestingly, most of Bahrain’s health care professionals are local citizens, in contrast with other Gulf countries in which a majority of doctors and nurses come from abroad.

Bahrain Information / Bahrain Insurance

The archipelago making up the Kingdom of Bahrain sits at a strategic point in the Persian Gulf, facing Saudi Arabia (to which it is connected by a 25 km bridge opened in 1986). Bahrain’s oil reserves were discovered over the first half of the 20th century, and have led to the Kingdom becoming one of the wealthiest countries on earth in terms of per capita GDP. This has funded major investment in infrastructure, health and education in the kingdom, propelling Bahrain to the top of world quality of life rankings. Recent initiatives in Bahrain have aimed to reduce the economy’s dependence on the petroleum sector, opening up new opportunities in Islamic finance, tourism, and education.

The Kingdom of Bahrain declared independence from Persia in 1783, although Iran did not drop its claim to sovereignty over Bahrain until 1970. In 1971, Bahrain was declared independent from the United Kingdom, following a number of 19th century treaties which had made Bahrain a British protectorate. In 2002, Bahrain transitioned from a state, to a kingdom under the ruling al-Khalifa family.

Bahrain’s population is 1.2 million, 155,000 of which live in the historic capital city of Manama, founded before 1345. About half of Bahrain’s population consists of non-national expatriate and migrant workers. The city of Manama is the political and economic capital of the city, and is home to a number of firms engaged in Islamic banking, shipbuilding, tourism and education. The city has also been the historic home of the al-Khalifa dynasty, having been ruled by the family since the late 18th century.

The Kingdom of Bahrain is an archipelago comprised of 33 islands, the largest of which is Bahrain Island, in which the capital city of Manama is located. The total landmass of the country is 765 square kilometers.

Bahrain holds a claim to being the site of the ancient Dilmun civilization, a trading partner of the Mesopotamians. The islands were an early adopter of the Islamic faith, and have successively been ruled by Arabic, Portuguese, Persian and British empires, until independence in 1971. As a result, Bahrain boasts a very cosmopolitan outlook, which is reflected in the country’s art, architecture and cuisine.

Bahrain’s Gulf climate is warm all year round, with winter temperatures averaging 20 degrees Celsius in January. Summers are very hot, with temperatures sometimes reaching above 50 degrees Celsius. Precipitation is minimal in this desert country and mostly occurs in winter.

In 2011, Bahrain’s GDP per capita was USD23,000 on a nominal basis. Economists generally agree that Bahrain has done the best job of diversifying its economy and is the most resilient to oil price shocks among Gulf countries. According to the United Nations, Bahrain’s Human Development Index ranks 42nd in the world which is considered “very high” according to UN metrics, and is tops in the Gulf.

The government of Bahrain is a constitutional monarchy, with the al-Khalifa family serving as the ruling dynasty since the 18th century. Bahrain also has a National Assembly with an upper and lower house and parliamentary elections. And the country is subdivided into five governorates. However, about half of all members of government in Bahrain are part of the al-Khalifa family.

Bahrain’s small military force is largely supplied with material from the United States. Under U.S. President George W. Bush, Bahrain was declared a non-NATO ally of the U.S.

Traffic in Bahrain drives on the right, and clocks are set three hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. Daylight savings time is not observed in Bahrain. The official language of Bahrain is Arabic; English is widely understood and spoken by educated Bahrainis. Farsi, Urdu and various Indian languages are also spoken in certain enclaves. The country’s official currency is the Bahraini dinar.

Bahrain Health System Overview

Bahrain is recognized as a very desirable location for its ancient history, the cosmopolitan capital and business center of Manama. This Gulf Island nation has been able to expand the economy in recent years due to the vast oil wealth and inventive commercial steps implemented by the government of Bahrain. With a booming economy and a influx of expatriates and tourists, Bahrain is able to fund a enviable healthcare system.

The healthcare system in Bahrain is regarded as excellent, with large amounts of capital being invested in the facilities. A comprehensive health service is provided to the whole population in Bahrain; this is written in to Bahrain's constitution. The health service is free of charge to all Bahrain citizens. The Minster of Health in Bahrain is responsible for ensuring that Primary healthcare is adequately provided to all Bahrain nationals. The World Health Organization [WHO] reported that healthcare coverage was almost 100% accessible to the citizens of Bahrain, with the Bahrain government planning further enhancements between 2005 and 2012. The WHO’s review did raise concerns about secondary healthcare and less than ideal bed utilization.

The Bahraini government encourages private healthcare in the county. The Ministry of Health allows government physicians to take part-time private practice work, while retaining full-time government employment and professional status. As a non citizen - tourist or expatriate - you will be required to pay for all medical treatment while in Bahrain. It needs to be recognized that healthcare for non-Bahrain citizens is expensive; international governments advise you to have Bahrain expat health insurance care in place during your time in Bahrain.

Bahrain has made major in-roads in the healthcare system and with preventive measures to control serious illness. The Ministry of Health has given assurances that outbreaks of diseases are minimal, with any threat dealt with quickly and efficiently. There is an immunization programme virtually eliminating infectious disease. This has meant long life expectancy for Bahrain’s citizens.

The Bahraini government is major source of funding the healthcare system, with 7.4% of GDP being invested. The Ministry of Health is responsible for issuing all licenses to medical professionals and for overseeing development of the system and education of medical professionals.

It is important to bear in mind when traveling to Bahrain on holiday or as an expatriate that you have the correct medical insurance cover in place, as the medical treatment in Bahrain is very expensive. Even though there are no serious diseases present in the country, it is important you consult with a doctor prior to your visit to ensure no outbreaks have occurred and to ensure you and your family are protected. When taking out comprehensive medical and travel insurance, ensure it covers you for all activities you may engage in. Also, it is paramount that your medical cover includes emergency evacuation; this is because if you are unfortunate enough to be taken seriously ill, you may require transportation to the country where you reside. By safeguarding yourself with the correct Bahrain expat health insurance policy, you can be assured that you are protected against any major financial burden.

Bahrain has benefited from the income generated by its oil reserves, this has fueled the growth of the economy. The Bahraini government has also taken positive measures to expand tourist and corporate business activities – resulting in a large expatriate community. It is recognized as a very desirable location for its Arabian history, the cosmopolitan capital and business center of Manama and the coastline. The combination of these attributes has enabled this Gulf Island nation to expand and become a sophisticated country for both tourism and business trading purposes.

This overview is written based on the latest Bahrain information available at the time of writing, thus it is subject to revision without prior notice.

Bahrain Health Insurance

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MetLife Alico partners with Mashreq in Bahrain

This week, MetLife Alico announced a new partnership with Mashreq Bank, one of the MENA region’s leading financial institutions, to provide new life insurance products and other protection options through their facilities in Bahrain.

Bahrain’s insurance industry covers a small, tightly regulated market that is expected to witness sizeable growth in the near future. According to the recent GCC Insurance Industry report issued by Alpen Capital, the country’s insurance market is forecast to expand by 16 percent from 2011-15. The kingdom is developing a mandatory national health insurance policy for all expatriates, which when finalized in 2013 could play a substantial role in driving the growth of the domestic insurance sector. However, while the penetration rate for both life and non-life insurance policies in Bahrain is high in comparison to other GCC countries, at 0.8 and 1.9 percent respectively, much work still needs to be done to match global peers from other emerging and mature market economies. Unlike most other countries in the region, Bahrain’s financial sector is dominated by nationals and thus has no native citizen employment quotas for business. This, Alpen Capital notes, continues to give Bahrain a competitive advantage in attracting business from foreign insurers.

The move announced this week will see MetLife Alico and Mashreq pool their resources to help the Bahrain insurance market realize its considerable potential. Iqbal Khanyari, Mashreq’s Bahrain country head, explained at a press briefing on Wednesday that the demand for protection and investment services had increased in the country and that this business deal would give both parties the necessary assets to address the residents of Bahrain’s mounting insurance needs. “In these challenging times, it is vital to demonstrate our commitment in addressing our customer’s financial well-being objectives. We believe MetLife Alico’s solutions together with Mashreq Bahrain’s wealth management strategy will meet this requirement,” Khanyari told reporters, adding that “with this agreement, we will now be in a robust position to be a one-stop-shop for our customers’ protection needs.”

MetLife Alico has considerable experience operating in the region, and this is what made the partnership attractive to Mashreq Bank. MetLife Alico was the first private company to be granted an insurance license in Bahrain and has operated in the country since 1961. The insurer is now one of the leading companies in the local market, with over 13,000 customers, 50 dedicated agents and a network of medical providers and banking partners. Iqbal Khanyari further commented that the insurer’s positive reputation and extensive product portfolio made them a particularly valued business partner for Mashreq Bank. “We have chosen MetLife Alico as they are one of the best providers in the region with managed care capabilities and a wide variety of tailor-made plans as part of customers’ wealth management requirements.”

Alex Bromley, MetLife Alico’s Country Manager for Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait, returned the compliment, saying that a partnership with Mashreq’s branch in Bahrain would enable them to further develop their business in the country and throughout the rest of the Gulf region. “We, at MetLife Alico, are honored to collaborate with Mashreq Bahrain which is one the most reputable banks in the region. Expanding our existing successful collaboration in UAE and Qatar helps us further strengthen our reach and distribution in the emerging Bahraini market.”

With per capita income and lifestyle expectations rising, Gulf residents are demanding more insurance and investment plans for their growing families and properties. MetLife Alico and other international insurers have been working hard with local institutions to address these concerns and are developing new insurance products catered to these emerging market clientele. This partnership has followed a similar deal struck by MetLife Alico in Qatar and other moves made by international insurers in the Gulf already this summer, including SEIB Insurance’s new contract with Qatar Telecom, the AXA Gulf global health insurance plan ‘Now Health International’, and Agility GHS’ partnership with the Dubai Islamic Insurance & Reinsurance Co.

For the MetLife parent company, this deal to further develop their operations in Bahrain’s insurance market is but the latest move the leading US life insurer has made to expand its international distribution platform, following its US$15.5 billion purchase of American Life Insurance Company (ALICO) from AIG in 2010. The acquisition of Alico has presented MetLife with greater access to emerging Asian, European and Latin American insurance markets. MetLife have been able to demonstrate success from this expansion plan already. The company’s international segment reported operating earnings had increased by US$507 million from US$142 million in the same period a year ago. This influx of new international business, led by the ALICO deal, has helped MetLife’s premiums grow at 41.2 percent year over year to US$9.3 billion. As the global economic order subtly changes in the wake of the 2007-2008 financial crisis, multinational insurers such as MetLife have found value in re-positioning their activities to ensure that they have greater access to the emerging insurance markets that are now providing many global firms with the most profound sales and earnings growth opportunities.

Health Insurance for expatriates in Bahrain

Globalsurance is an independent International medical insurance and international health insurance advisor. We offer free quotations and advice to clients in Bahrain. As Global Health Insurance brokers we have expert knowledge on the full range of medical plans available and can select and advise you on the best plan. We are experts on Global Health Insurance and expatriate health insurance plans and can find the right plan for you.

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