Mandatory Health Insurance (CCHI)
Written in plain language for general understanding. This is educational content, not legal advice. Based on Saudi royal decrees, regulations, and ministerial decisions.
Saudi National Law
What is this right?
Saudi Arabia requires health insurance for all private sector workers and their dependents:
- Employer obligation: Private sector employers must provide health insurance for all employees and their dependents. The employer pays the full cost — it cannot be deducted from the worker's salary.
- Minimum coverage: The Unified Health Insurance Policy sets minimum benefits including outpatient care, hospitalization, maternity, dental, and optical coverage.
- CCHI oversight: The Council of Cooperative Health Insurance (CCHI) regulates all health insurance providers and ensures they meet minimum standards.
- Iqama link: A valid health insurance policy is required to issue or renew an Iqama for foreign workers.
- Saudi citizens: Saudi nationals can access government hospitals for free. Private insurance is optional for Saudis but mandatory for their companies to provide if they work in the private sector.
Employers who fail to provide insurance face fines starting at SAR 500 per uninsured worker per month.
When does it apply?
- You are a private sector employee (Saudi or expatriate) and your employer has not provided health insurance.
- Your insurance does not cover treatments that should be included under the Unified Policy.
- You need to verify your insurance status for Iqama renewal.
What should you do?
- Check your insurance status through the CCHI website (cchi.gov.sa) using your ID or Iqama number.
- Get a copy of your policy from your employer and review what is covered.
- If your employer has not provided insurance, file a complaint with CCHI through their portal or call 920001177.
- If your insurer denies a covered treatment, file a complaint with CCHI for a coverage review.
What should you NOT do?
- Do not accept working without health insurance — your employer is legally required to provide it.
- Do not pay insurance premiums out of your own salary — this cost is the employer's responsibility.
- Do not assume all treatments are free — check your policy for co-payments, exclusions, and annual limits.
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