Home healthcare insurance in Saudi Arabia now has a clear answer for patients leaving hospital: the Council of Health Insurance (CHI) says the mandatory health insurance policy covers continuing treatment at home. The council confirmed on 14 October 2026 that urinary catheter care, intravenous medication after surgery and post-operative wound care are included, so eligible patients can finish recovery with their family instead of in a ward.
For expats, this matters because almost every resident and their dependants sit on an employer or private policy that follows the CHI rules. If you or a family member has surgery soon, this coverage changes what you should ask for at discharge.
What the Council of Health Insurance confirmed
The mandatory policy covers specific home care services for patients who still need medical follow-up after leaving hospital. In its statement, the council said a patient’s recovery continues after admission and after the patient reaches home.
| Service | Covered by mandatory insurance? |
|---|---|
| Urinary catheter insertion and care | Yes, named by CHI |
| Intravenous (IV) medication after surgery | Yes, named by CHI |
| Post-operative wound care and dressing | Yes, named by CHI |
| Physiotherapy, home nutrition, respiratory care, medication management | Offered by the Ministry of Health; insurance cover not stated |
Local reports describe the target group as patients who need close monitoring after an operation, or whose condition is stable enough to be treated at home. The stated aims are fewer repeat hospital visits, shorter stays and a lower risk of infections picked up in hospital.
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Follow on WhatsAppWho is affected
Anyone covered by a policy that meets the CHI mandatory standard can benefit, which includes most private sector expat employees and the dependants listed on their insurance. In practice, the patients who gain most are those recovering from surgery who would otherwise return to the clinic every day for a dressing change or an IV dose.
The council has not published detailed eligibility criteria, a start date or any co-payment that applies to home visits. It has also not named which providers deliver the insured service.
How to request home healthcare in Saudi Arabia
Start with the treating doctor, because home care is a medical decision made before discharge. The Ministry of Health says beneficiaries can apply for home healthcare electronically, and its own Home Healthcare e-service lists the Mawid and Ehalati channels and the 937 call centre for patients who meet its criteria.
- Ask before discharge. Ask the surgeon whether your wound care, catheter or IV treatment can continue at home.
- Get insurer approval in writing. In private hospitals the billing team usually sends the request to your insurer. Make sure that happens before you leave.
- Check your policy class. Your card class and network list decide which providers you can use, so confirm the home care provider is in network.
- Keep the paperwork. Save the discharge summary, approval reference and prescriptions in case the claim is questioned later.
If an insurer refuses a service the council has named, you can raise a complaint through the Council of Health Insurance, which regulates private health insurance in the Kingdom.
What has not changed
Home care does not replace emergency treatment or admission when a doctor decides you need a hospital bed. Your policy limits, network and class rules still apply. Wider Ministry of Health home services such as physiotherapy and home nutrition remain available through the ministry, but the council has not said insurers must pay for them.
Many expats in Saudi Arabia only discover their insurance details at the hospital desk. A five-minute call to your HR team or insurer now, asking how home care approvals work on your policy, will save a stressful conversation on discharge day.