Medical Insurance

Dear Ministry of Higher Education and Qaboos University Sponsored Student in the US,

As you know, you are the only group still covered by the medical insurance plan provided by the Cultural Division. For that plan, the office pays all expenses of the medical services and medicine in addition to the administration and processing fees to Harrington Benefit Services, the company that administer the medical insurance.

The system worked very well in the past. Unfortunately, and due to the dwindling number of scholars coming to study in the USA, it is becoming difficult and expensive to maintain a health insurance plan for such a smaller group. Hence, a decision has been made not to continue the health insurance coverage provided by the Cultural Division through Harrington benefit Services by December 31, 2004. Instead we will provide you with a medical insurance provided by the schools as we have been doing for the rest of the sponsored Omani students in the US and Canada.

We want to assure you that this change will not affect in any way the quality of service or medical care that was provided to you. We contacted your perspective schools to start providing coverage for you starting January 1, 2005. For this transition to be smooth and successful we ask for your understanding and help.

Accordingly, all students who are covered by the Cultural Division are required to take the following necessary actions:

1- Contact your school to make sure that you and your eligible family members will be covered by the schools medical plan by January 1, 2005.

2- No waivers from the medical insurance policies provided by the schools should be signed for the any period in or after January 1, 2005.

3- If you or any of your family members have a medical service between now and December 31,2004, please request from the physician or the provider to send the claims immediately to insure proper compensation before the termination date of December 31,2004.

4- If you or any of your family members need a non-emergency service, please schedule it after January 1, 2005 to be covered by the new insurance carried by the school.

5- Please inform your Financial or Academic Advisor of the steps taken to acquire a new medical insurance provided by the school. All premiums will be paid by the Cultural Division upon receiving an invoice from the school.

6- If you have encountered any difficulty or problem DO NOT hesitate to contact your Academic and Financial Advisor.

Again, I would like to bring your attention to the important issue of the medical insurance without which your registration at the school may be jeopardized. It is the responsibility of the student to carry an appropriate medical insurance all the time.

We, at the Cultural Division will extent all the help to you for a smooth transition. If you have any questions regarding this issue, please do not hesitate to call your Financial or Academic Advisor or me at any time.

With best regards.

Sincerely,

Dr. Talib I. Al Salmi

The Cultural Attaché