Having a baby in Riyadh!

A normal delivery could easily cos a minimum of SR 15K-20K

Jameel - Congratulations!

But OMG, who do you work for?  Especially in this day and age!

I have never heard of pregnancy related medical care being left out of a heath care plan.  Dental and Optical yes, but NEVER pregnancy or child birth or any GYN related care.   Being British, I would suspect you have BUPA, a reputable company.  I would really do some research and find out if this is infact the case.  Sounds a bit fishy to me.

Good Luck!

Im pretty sure my contract states that were not covered for pregnancy...unless anyone else knows anything else otherwise!? Please advise...also prenatal care, how much are we looking at?

As CAF said sounds odd. Double check your medical care book that would have been provided when you joined the medical scheme.

For normal delivery the usual hospitals (Dallah, Hammadi etc) charge around SR4k but for cesarean abt SR10k. The hospitals are quick to go for cesarean because its easier for them (some accuse them of doing it for the money too) but make sure they do it normal delivery.

Whatever the case make sure you do full research! I recently found out most hospitals don't allow the father to be there at delivery time.

jameel137 wrote:

Im pretty sure my contract states that were not covered for pregnancy...unless anyone else knows anything else otherwise!? Please advise...also prenatal care, how much are we looking at?

Hey, congrats, but in answer to your question I don't see how this is anything anyone else can check other than you.  You need to refer to your contract terms and conditions and also the fine print of your healthcare insurance.  Meet with your HR department at work and phone your Healthcare provider and seek clarity directly with them.  Good luck and it is good you are checking this all out now, whilst you have lots of time. Very soon, you will be faced with a range of tests and scans to be had to ensure the wellbeing of your wife and your child, you will need to ensure you fall within the referal options of your healthcare - again, poise these type of questions to them for response.

Congratulations..

I think I have to agree with all that you have to both check and demand to have at least the pregnancy healthcare included. I've seen the VIP health insurance by BUPA, that is, everything insluded, even a VIP room at the kingdom hospital, and it wasnt that great compared to the treatment my other family members get back home, and im talking about the south America home not the middle eastern one. And as everyone said, just the regular monthly checkups and all that is going to sum up to a big amount.

So I dunno either try to fix your health insurance or run.. Run back home

Yes, Fathers are not allowed in the delivery room it is a cultural thing regardless if you are westerner or not.

You are the only one to be able to question your own health insurance card/options with your HR. It may be according to salary or the options that you chose on your health insurance. If you pay a little towards your health insurance you get little.

As a father I was in the delivery room for my wife's first C-Section.  I know birth is a miraculous thing, but seeing what goes on in there, the coldness, and also your wifes "guts - uterus (sp?)" laying on her stomach is a one time deal. Didn't do it for my son, waited outside with no problem.

CivEngr wrote:

As a father I was in the delivery room for my wife's first C-Section.  I know birth is a miraculous thing, but seeing what goes on in there, the coldness, and also your wifes "guts - uterus (sp?)" laying on her stomach is a one time deal. Didn't do it for my son, waited outside with no problem.

CE - When you put it that way (YUK), I was there for my best friend's delivery of her first (and only) born son.  As a mother myself it was a whole different experience seeing the birth as a witness and a fantastically marvellous experience.  She had a natural birth, so there was no blood and guts anywhere!  If you can get the opportunity to be at the birth, you should at least try, even if you then decide to be excused.  It took the two of you to create the life, it should be two of you to witness the birth (but only if you can stomach it as there will be lots of blood)!

Aa far as I know pregnancy has always been included in every single medical policy that I have availed and also seen others seen utilizing in KSA.

Yes, I was an HR Director in my previously life and Pregnancy & GYN was always a large part of the policy.  Never was it left off, so I would def check the fine print.  As mentioned, discuss in full with your HR and dont be afraid to contact your healthcare provider/Carrier (BUPA). 
You should be able to go on-line and see what your policy offers, what the out-of-pocket and co-pay contributions are for each medical issue. 

BUPA coverage, (Sparrow, correct me if I speak out of turn here) partners with SAICO, The Saudi Arabian Insurance Company, so you may be covered by them for everything while you're here in the Middle East.  If covered you will receive a SAICO card and will use it (instead of BUPA Card) while here in the country. 

You REALLY need to look into this BEFORE you come to KSA.  Your wife's health & welfare while pregnant, not to mention the welfare of your baby is nothing to fool with.  Get on the phone now!!! 

Here is the website for BUPA International. 

BUPA:  http://www.bupa-intl.com  +44 (0) 1273 718 306

Usually, BUPA provides a booklet with all related facilities and entitlements provided for the type of medical insurance procured. This document also contains a lists of all hospitals and clinics across the Kingdom where the insurance cover is valid.

This was taken directly from my contract, as I have'nt actually reached riyadh yet and have'nt received any documentation pertaining to my healthcare, this is all I have to go on:

16.    During the period of contract, medical care  to the   SECOND PARTY & his/her family/children will be covered by its designated  HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY only inside Saudi Arabia. This applies only to the contractee, and his/her three other dependents with valid Saudi Residence Permit i.e. Iqama Holders and not casual visitors, provided their stay in the Kingdom is not less than six months in an academic year. All optical appliances and aids like spectacles, contact lenses etc., and dentures, dental implants, extractions or reinsertions are excluded. Plastic surgery, hearing aids and treatment related to pregnancy are also excluded.

I ask all experienced expats to comment...

jameel137 wrote:

This was taken directly from my contract, as I have'nt actually reached riyadh yet and have'nt received any documentation pertaining to my healthcare, this is all I have to go on:

16.    During the period of contract, medical care  to the   SECOND PARTY & his/her family/children will be covered by its designated  HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY only inside Saudi Arabia. This applies only to the contractee, and his/her three other dependents with valid Saudi Residence Permit i.e. Iqama Holders and not casual visitors, provided their stay in the Kingdom is not less than six months in an academic year. All optical appliances and aids like spectacles, contact lenses etc., and dentures, dental implants, extractions or reinsertions are excluded. Plastic surgery, hearing aids and treatment related to pregnancy are also excluded.

I ask all experienced expats to comment...

These are such bizarre exclusions as it implies the employer has no thought nor care, whatsoever for the employee and direct family’s well-being.  Ok, ok, I know this is KSA etc,etc but come on!  A way around this may be to address these exclusions if the employee can negotiate sufficient salary so they can purchase and maintain their own comprehensive medical health care plan; which I would most strongly recommend.
In fact, I would get a ‘friendly’ lawyer (I know that’s a contradictory in terms) to have a good look through this contract for all the other small print exclusions as no doubt there will be plenty.
I would also recommend you get some concrete response on the accommodation arrangements your employer has made for you and your family as there may also be some surprises there for you?
I am not intending to ‘scare’ you in anyway, just to alert you to take care of the detail, before you lesson your opportunity for clarity and further negotiation.  Also, make sure you have a ‘start-up’ fund of some sort that you may need to rely on for the initial setting up in Riyadh.

I would say NO to the contract. 

You would be crazy to accept such a contract unless you are desperate for work and I don't say that to be demeaning.  I know many people are out of work and will try anything to make a living, BUT, Your wife's health and safety along with your child's welbeing are at stake!

I would try and negotiate your health benefits or turn down the contract.

Congratulations and Celebrations yeyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.

Jameel Congratulations. God Bless you and your family.

It does not cost a lot of money
Dallah Hospital
Al Hammadi Hospital

Prince Panda wrote:

For normal delivery the usual hospitals (Dallah, Hammadi etc) charge around SR4k but for cesarean abt SR10k. The hospitals are quick to go for cesarean because its easier for them (some accuse them of doing it for the money too) but make sure they do it normal delivery.

Whatever the case make sure you do full research! I recently found out most hospitals don't allow the father to be there at delivery time.

To my knowledge the private ones allow fathers to assist the delivery. I'm expecting & my husband is going to be in the delivery room + one more person if I wish!!!

This hospital is huge and does not need to lie, this depends on the insurance companies

This hospital is huge and does not need to lie, this depends on the insurance companies

this mornings staff meeting was interesting.

your employers want you to work on thursday.

this means a one-day weekend. Seeing as trade unionism is illegal, its going to be an interesting fall out.

claim overtime...

nah, they're saying we're contracted to work the hours.

its turning into a bloody joke this

if its every single Thursday, the it sure is a goddamn ripoff...

you said it, brother! I mean uncle...

@ Caf - you are correct about the BUPA medical aid. They look after pregnacy et al very well.

@ Jameel - negotiate a better deal for you and your family.