Riyadh: The Insurance Authority has directed health insurance providers in Saudi Arabia to offer a health insurance product without pre-medical approval requests for outpatient services, aiming to address a key challenge faced by health insurance beneficiaries in recent years.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the product will serve as an additional option among the health insurance products currently available, offering employers and policyholders increased flexibility to choose solutions that align with their specific needs. This new product will be accessible to insurance customers beginning November 1, 2026.

Insurance Authority CEO Eng. Naji Al Tamimi emphasized that the directive to provide a health insurance product without pre-approvals for outpatient services is in line with the Saudi leadership's objectives to alleviate burdens on citizens, improve quality of life, and support the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

He further noted that the initiative reinforces the Insurance Authority's commitment to guiding the market and ensuring that insurance companies provide products meeting the needs of both individuals and businesses, in accordance with the National Insurance Sector Strategy.

The Insurance Authority has urged health insurance customers to lodge a complaint if an insurer fails to offer the new option after the specified implementation date.