Bupa Arabia launches Saudi Arabia’s First no pre-approvals health insurance program

Ryyan Tarabzoni, chief operating officer at Bupa Arabia
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Updated 25 March 2025
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Bupa Arabia launches Saudi Arabia’s First no pre-approvals health insurance program

Bupa Arabia for Cooperative Insurance continues to lead the health insurance sector in the Kingdom with the launch of a groundbreaking initiative that enables insured members to receive medical treatment directly—without the need to submit or wait for prior approvals. 

Implemented in collaboration with more than seven hospitals across three major regions, the initiative aims to simplify healthcare visits and significantly enhance the overall patient experience.

This first-of-its-kind initiative in Saudi Arabia eliminates unnecessary administrative steps and ensures faster access to medical care, reflecting Bupa Arabia’s commitment to reshaping healthcare delivery through innovative, patient-centric solutions.

The “No Pre-Approvals Network” represents a transformative shift in the way outpatient services are accessed. By removing pre-authorization requirements, the program allows members to receive immediate treatment at participating hospitals, creating a seamless and hassle-free experience. This model is designed to streamline operations at healthcare facilities and reduce delays for patients seeking care.

This initiative is part of Bupa Arabia’s broader mission to enhance patient-centric care and provide more efficient, adaptable insurance solutions in line with its innovation strategy. Since its launch, the network has already benefited over 200,000 members—underscoring the growing demand for accessible and simplified healthcare services across the Kingdom.

“This initiative transforms the way healthcare is delivered to our members by removing the need for prior approvals,” said Ryyan Tarabzoni, chief operating officer at Bupa Arabia. “It offers a faster and more comfortable experience and stands as an unprecedented achievement in Saudi Arabia’s health insurance sector. We are proud to be the first to introduce such an innovative model.”

Bupa Arabia has announced plans to significantly expand the “No Pre-Approvals Network” in 2025, with the addition of 15 to 20 hospitals across various regions of the Kingdom. 

The program will also include new specialized services—such as prescription medication coverage—as part of a broader effort to deliver a more comprehensive and integrated healthcare ecosystem.

This initiative currently applies exclusively to outpatient departments within healthcare providers that are part of the “No Pre-Approvals Network.”


STC Bank launches business portal for businesses, entrepreneurs and freelancers

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STC Bank launches business portal for businesses, entrepreneurs and freelancers

STC Bank has launched a business portal as part of its strategy to provide integrated and Shariah-compliant digital banking services targeting multinationals, entrepreneurs and self-employed. The move reflects the bank’s commitment to enhancing and facilitating the banking experience through modern digital solutions.

The Business Portal is the first integrated digital experience that enables business customers to start their banking relationships and manage their entire business through a single digital platform, designed to meet the needs of various sectors, providing an easy and flexible banking journey characterized by simplicity and ease of use.

The portal provides a comprehensive dashboard that allows business owners to efficiently manage users, financial structuring and authorization matrix, where users can be added, assigned, and manage access to banking services flexibly within an advanced digital experience.

The Business Portal also includes a full range of banking services, most notably payments and remittances, beneficiary management, statement review and extraction, digital certificate issuance, as well as employee salary management, giving business owners full control over their financial operations through a unified and secure platform.

STC Bank allows registration and availing of business portal services through its website, while ensuring the highest levels of security using the latest cybersecurity and advanced financial technologies.

The launch of the upgraded Business Portal is part of STC Bank’s digital transformation journey toward building an integrated digital bank, which provides innovative banking solutions that contribute to supporting the growth of the business sector and enhancing the digital economy in the Kingdom.