Saudi Arabia: Supply of Services Regulations Come into Force

Saudi Gazette, 12 March 2024: The Regulation to Suspend Government Services has come into force.

The Saudi Arabian authorities said that the Regulations came into force on 11 March.

They specify that services can only be suspended after a grace period for rectifying the violation has been given.

Services related to treatment, education, jobs, commercial registration or documentation cannot be suspended in a way that would hurt a beneficiary or their dependents.

As well as allowing a grace period, services should only be suspended in line with a legal document.

The suspension of services should be carried out in three phases.

There should be 15 days in the first and second phases. This can be extended for another 15 days.

The period in the third phase will be determined in line with the specifications in the statutory document for the suspension.

This will be submitted by the government authority, requesting the suspension.

Where the reason for suspending services is rectified, the suspension will have to be lifted within 24 hours by the relevant government entity.

Individuals and institutions can submit a request to extend the grace period before services are suspended.

They can also request details of the entity suspending the services.

This is aimed at protecting the rights of the parties involved as well as improve compliance and commitment.

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Saudi Arabia: Insurance Authority Now Responsible for Health Insurance

Saudi Gazette, 4 March 2024: Saudi Arabia’s Insurance Authority has announced it is now responsible for health insurance in the Kingdom. It assumed responsibility today.

The powers were transferred to it from the Council of Health Insurance.

The Authority’s CEO said the transfer of powers won’t affect current insurance policies or claims because the current laws and regulations will continue to be implemented.

Policyholders and health insurance beneficiaries will also be able to continue to exercise all their rights under the current laws and regulations and there won’t be any change in the current terms and conditions of insurance policies.

In terms of complaints and claims, all complaints and enquiries related to health insurance will be transferred to the Insurance Authority from today.

The Authority will follow up on old complaints and claims and new complaints will be filed through the Authority’s via the appropriate channels.

These are the complaints hotline, which can be reached on 800124055, via care.ia.gov.sa or via the customer protection account @ia_care_gov on X.

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