To reduce the strain on Brunei's public health system, employers are to provide minimum private health insurance for their foreign workers. This mandate is being implemented in two phases.
A new insight article posted on https://www.wtwco.com/ said the Brunei government is rolling out a mandate for all foreign citizens to have a minimum level of private health insurance coverage while in Brunei, paid by the employer for their foreign workers.
It said the new requirement is partly in response to sharp increases in overall expenditures of the public healthcare system, which previously extended free coverage to permanent residents and foreign spouses of Brunei citizens.
Temporary foreign workers were already required to have a basic level of hospitalisation and outpatient insurance, typically paid by their employer. In 2024, permanent residents made up 5.8% of the total population of 455,500, and another 18.1% were temporary residents.
The mandate is being implemented in two steps according to the type of entry pass or permit applicable to the individual, including existing pass or permit holders, with specified minimum coverage levels for the duration of the pass or permit.
The coverage may be arranged with domestic or foreign insurers and proof of valid health insurance will have to be provided for foreigners entering or already in the country, or else their entry pass or permit will be limited to two weeks.
The article said, “Almost all employers (93%) in Brunei surveyed by WTW provide supplemental health benefits, primarily private medical insurance, covering employees and their dependents for surgery/hospitalisation and, to a lesser extent, outpatient treatment.
Policies purchased before the mandate will remain in effect until they expire. Employers of foreign workers should consider the impact of the new requirements on their recruiting processes and employment costs.