Latest news with #Dhamani
Observer
21-04-2025
- Business
- Observer
Newly launched Dhamani platform to ease insurance claims
MUSCAT, APRIL 21 The recently inaugurated Dhamani platform marks a major leap forward in the digital transformation of Oman's healthcare and insurance sectors. Designed as a national digital information exchange, the platform facilitates seamless, real-time communication between healthcare providers and insurance payers. Speaking exclusively to the Observer, Dr Hatim al Lawati, Digital Economy Consultant at the Financial Services Authority (FSA), emphasised that Dhamani is not a standalone system but a comprehensive infrastructure for streamlining claims processing. 'Previously, there was a lot of fluctuation and delay, some claims took up to two years to process,' Dr Al Lawati said. 'Today, with Dhamani, claims can be submitted immediately after treatment, and insurance companies are required to respond within 45 days. The process is faster, more transparent, and significantly reduces administrative hassle.' He also noted that the platform's operational footprint is minimal. 'It is efficient enough to be managed with as few as three workstations,' he added. 'It greatly improves speed and ease for both patients and hospitals.' Through integration with healthcare providers' Health Information Systems (HIS), Dhamani enables instant claim submission by hospitals, polyclinics, clinics, medical centres, and soon, independent pharmacies. Once a patient receives treatment, the system can automatically transmit the claim to Dhamani, which then delivers all relevant data, medical reports, attachments, approvals, diagnoses, costs, and bills, directly to insurance companies. This digital workflow enables payers to act quickly, either approving, rejecting, returning the claim for clarification, or requesting missing information, within a short timeframe. 'Healthcare providers have up to 45 days to submit a claim after the patient receives treatment,' Dr Al Lawati explained. 'If the claim is returned by the insurer, it can be resubmitted within 30 days. Once accepted, the payer is obligated to process payment within another 45 days. This structured timeline ensures swift and smooth claims handling.' Beyond efficiency, Dhamani plays a critical role in combating fraud, waste, and abuse (FWA), common challenges in health insurance systems. 'Fraud involves submitting false claims for treatments that never occurred. Abuse refers to intentionally over-treating patients, for example, prescribing unnecessary medications or requesting unrelated tests. Waste relates to redundant or repeated services, like duplicate lab tests within or across hospitals,' Dr Al Lawati said. To reduce FWA, the platform implements several robust measures. 'First, we are standardising CPT codes, also known as medical protocols, so all providers use consistent procedures for specific illnesses. This allows regulators and insurers to quickly spot irregularities and potential abuse.' 'Second, all transactions on Dhamani are fully digital and transparent, allowing regulators to set automated rules to detect suspicious patterns. For example, if a medicine prescribed only for women is issued to a male patient, the system can flag it immediately.' 'Third, the FSA is deploying business intelligence (BI) and artificial intelligence (AI) tools to analyse data, detect fraud, and manage risk. These technologies empower both payers and the regulator to monitor claims comprehensively and protect system integrity.' In conclusion, Dr Al Lawati affirmed that Dhamani is not only enhancing the speed and transparency of insurance claims but is also serving as a critical infrastructure in safeguarding Oman's healthcare ecosystem from inefficiencies and malpractice.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Oman launches national health insurance platform
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) of Oman has officially launched the National Health Insurance Platform, known as Dhamani, to oversee the operations within the country's health insurance market. The platform is an electronic system aimed at simplifying the exchange of health insurance information and claims processing between insurers and private healthcare providers. At a press conference, the FSA CEO Abdullah Salim Al Salmi detailed the platform's regulatory functions and its anticipated positive impact on the Sultanate's health insurance system. He pointed out that Dhamani is designed to improve the Omani health insurance market and ease citizens' access to health services. Al Salmi confirmed the platform's efficacy, as evidenced by its successful pilot phase. During the first quarter of 2025, Dhamani facilitated around three million health insurance transactions between insurance firms and private healthcare establishments. The platform is now connected to 33 private hospitals and three healthcare complexes. Dhamani aims to address several challenges faced by insurance stakeholders, ensuring the provision of quality health insurance services and the timely settlement of financial obligations to private healthcare providers. The platform will also maintain a database of medical conditions, diagnoses, and treatments, which will enable authorities to conduct research aimed at advancing the health sector. Al Salmi further mentioned that Dhamani currently serves over 650,000 health insurance policyholders and handles up to 40,000 transactions daily. To support the platform's development and offset the costs of its establishment, which totalled OR1.6m, a modest fee will be levied on hospitals utilising the service. "Oman launches national health insurance platform " was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Zawya
21-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: FSA to officially unveil the National Health Insurance Platform 'Dhamani'
Muscat: The Financial Services Authority will hold a press conference in Muscat on Sunday to officially unveil the National Health Insurance Platform "Dhamani." This initiative is part of the national efforts to advance digital transformation in health insurance systems. The launch comes at a time of growing demand for integrated digital solutions that align with the rapid developments in health insurance services. The platform has been developed as part of the authority's vision to establish a reliable digital insurance system that improves efficiency and facilitates seamless integration among stakeholders in the health insurance market. "Dhamani" represents an advanced electronic national platform aimed at connecting private healthcare institutions with insurance companies, claims management firms, legislative and regulatory entities, and beneficiaries including citizens and residents. © Muscat Media Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Muscat Daily
20-04-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Dhamani goes live, set to reshape insurance landscape
Muscat – Financial Services Authority (FSA) officially launched national health insurance platform Dhamani on Sunday, marking an important step towards regulating the Omani health insurance sector through digital innovation. The platform provides a comprehensive, integrated digital solution for the exchange of health insurance data and claims between insurers and private health institutions. Sheikh Abdullah Salem al Salmi, Executive President of FSA, elaborated on Dhamani's pivotal regulatory role and key features, and emphasised the positive impact it will have on all stakeholders in the health insurance process – from policyholders to insurance companies and private healthcare providers. Salmi described Dhamani as a transformative leap for the Omani health insurance landscape, utilising digital advancements to streamline operations, improve access to healthcare services and promote broader insurance coverage across the country. He informed that the platform proved its efficiency and effectiveness during its pilot phase. In the first quarter of 2025, the platform facilitated nearly 3mn transactions between insurers and private healthcare providers. Dhamani has successfully integrated with all insurance institutions, over 30 private hospitals and three private health complexes to date. The platform aims to resolve longstanding challenges within the insurance ecosystem, ensuring timely payments to private healthcare institutions and enhancing the quality of health insurance services. Additionally, it offers a comprehensive database of diseases, diagnoses and treatments, providing valuable insights for healthcare sector studies and future developments. Dhamani serves over 650,000 health insurance policyholders, processing approximately 40,000 transactions daily. To support its continued growth and development, a nominal fee is charged to hospitals, helping finance the platform's ongoing enhancements. The total cost of building the platform was RO1.6mn. Looking ahead, the platform plans to expand its services to include all private health centres and clinics across Oman, further strengthening the sultanate's health insurance infrastructure.
Observer
20-04-2025
- Health
- Observer
National health insurance goes digital with ‘Dhamani'
MUSCAT, APRIL 20 Oman marked the official launch of the national health insurance platform "Dhamani", a milestone accomplishment in the modernization of the nation's healthcare and insurance industries. Announced by the Financial Services Authority (FSA), the platform is technically and legislatively complete, offering integrated digital services to regulate the health insurance market. "Dhamani" facilitates seamless data and claim exchanges between insurance companies and private healthcare providers, besides creating unified medical records accessible by policyholders across private institutions. Shaikh Abdullah bin Salem al Salmi, CEO of the FSA, stated that the platform was a "qualitative leap" for Oman's insurance market, in alignment with Oman Vision 2040 agenda to promote digital infrastructure and increase access to essential services. During its trial phase, "Dhamani" settled nearly three million transactions during the first quarter of 2025, with 33 private hospitals and three health complexes already linked. All the insurance companies that are licensed are now part of the system, prior to full operational rollout across the remaining private clinics and healthcare facilities. FSA Insurance Sector Vice President Ahmed bin Ali al Maamari said: "The recently launched "Dhamani" health insurance platform will significantly enhance the level of health care services in the Sultanate. Through the platform's streamlining of the approval process for treatment requests and enabling of electronic payment between hospitals and insurance companies, the Sultanate's policyholders will be in a position to obtain faster, more reliable services," he stated. "All 33 private hospitals licensed by the Ministry of Health are now fully integrated into the system. Authorities confirmed that efforts are underway to continue expanding the platform's reach by including health centres, clinics, and pharmacies, increasing supervision and the overall experience of healthcare in the private sector," Al Maamari added The system also promises the possibility of faster settlement of claims to private hospitals, better fraud detection, and access to a centralized database of diagnoses and treatments—vital tools for regulatory control and healthcare planning. It employs cutting-edge medical coding systems and cybersecurity protocols, with secure and efficient transmission of information. With more than 650,000 policyholders covered at present and an average of 40,000 transactions occurring daily, "Dhamani" is expected to simplify administrative procedures, reduce healthcare costs, and improve overall service delivery. The FSA developed the platform in coordination with the major stakeholders like the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labour, and Invest Easy. This digitalization is backed by new legislation, like Regulation No. 83/2023, which governs electronic integration in the insurance sector. The FSA has amended the legal framework to provide rights, enforce compliance, and permit faster, tech-enabled registration, claims, and reimbursements. By bridging gaps in the current system and providing one digital backbone, "Dhamani" is a beacon of innovation—a single system that will enhance transparency, improve efficiency, and render Oman's healthcare system more accessible and sustainable for generations to come.
