Healthcare Questions - For Expats

Nice question , also ,

What health system applies to the people with Self Sponsored Visas ( Retirees ) / Those with a property ? 

The company I work for provides medical insurance otherwise I don't know

Hope someone could answer this !

Okay, here’s what I know of the Healthcare options for expatriates in Bahrain:

Each person with a valid CPR card is allotted a specific health center in Bahrain. This depends on the address registered in the CPR card. All patients, Bahrainis as well as Expats, are supposed to visit their respective health center for any ailment.

You visit your health center, register as a patient (based on your CPR card) and take an appointment. For expatriates, the charges for an outpatient appointment are 3 BD. This includes consultation with the Doctor, routine lab investigations, plain X-ray and routine medications. Please note that specialized investigations and expensive medications are not covered. Flu shots at the health center are covered under the 3 BD fee. Depending on the rush at your particular center, this appointment can take from a few days to a few weeks. If you wish to jump the queue, you can ask for an appointment in the Limited Private Practice (LPP) clinic. Based on the specialty, you may be charged 25 to 30 BD per visit.

If the Doctor at the health center feels that you need specialist care, (s)he will refer you to Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC). SMC is the largest tertiary care hospital in the country with 1200 beds and you cannot walk into SMC for an appointment unless you are referred. SMC does not have LPP clinics. This rule does not apply when you are taken to SMC in an emergency.

On being referred to SMC, you again queue up for an appointment with a specialist Doctor after paying 3 BD. If you need other investigations, the charges are as follows:
•    Ultrasound – 15 BD
•    CT scan or MRI – 150 to 200 BD
•    Specialized lab investigations – rates differ
•    Endoscopy – 70 BD (e.g. Gastroscopy, Colonoscopy, Rhinoscopy, Bronchoscopy, etc.)

If you are admitted, the charges are as follows:
•    General ward – no charge
•    Private Room – 15 BD per day, subject to availability
•    VIP Room – 40 to 60 BD per day, subject to availability

If you need surgery, the charges are as follows:
•    Normal delivery – no charge. They also give you a fantastic baby hamper
•    Minor surgery – 50 BD
•    Major surgery – 150 BD

I hope this clarifies some doubts.

Excellent. Thank you.  Very clear.

One follow up question, for speciality hospitals e.g psychiatric hospital, do you still have to be referred or you walk in?  Assuming the local centre doesn't have care like that

XTang wrote:

Excellent. Thank you.  Very clear.

One follow up question, for speciality hospitals e.g psychiatric hospital, do you still have to be referred or you walk in?  Assuming the local centre doesn't have care like that

As far as I know, for all specialty hospitals, one has to be referred by the local health center.

I forgot to mention that official working hours for all Government Hospitals and health centers are 7 am to 2:15 pm, Sunday thru Thursday.

Emergency medical care is provided to all expatriates without any charge or discrimination. Once you are stable, you have the option of continuing care against payment or getting treated at a facility of your choice, which may be in your own country.