How to choose a hospital in Riyadh

Start with your need, not the hospital's name

• Emergency: such as chest pain, stroke symptoms, difficulty breathing or an accident: call 997 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
• A medical question or a primary care appointment: the Ministry of Health's 937 centre works around the clock, offers phone consultations and helps with appointments and referrals.
• A condition that needs a specialist or surgery: identify the specialty first, then look for a hospital with experience in your specific condition.

Government hospitals in Riyadh

Government hospitals and centres in Riyadh belong to three health clusters: Riyadh First, Second and Third Health Clusters. The usual route starts at your nearest primary care centre, which assesses you and refers you to a hospital or specialist clinic when needed. You can book a primary care appointment through the Sehhaty app or by calling 937.

Riyadh is a large city, and distance and traffic matter if your condition needs repeated visits, such as physiotherapy, dialysis or chemotherapy. Think about the journey before you choose.

Private hospitals

At a private hospital you can usually book directly with a doctor without a referral. Before booking, check three things: that the doctor is in the right specialty for your condition, that the hospital is in your insurance network if you are insured, and that you know the approximate cost of the visit and expected tests.

How to check the hospital and doctor

• The Saudi Commission for Health Specialties offers an online service to check a health practitioner's registration validity, a way to confirm the doctor is registered and classified in their specialty.
• Ask whether the hospital is accredited by the Saudi Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions (CBAHI), an indicator of its commitment to quality and patient safety standards.
• Online patient reviews are useful, but they are not enough on their own to judge medical quality.

Health insurance: ask before the visit

• Are the hospital and doctor in my insurance network, and what is my policy class?
• Does the procedure or test need prior approval from the insurer, and how long does it usually take?
• What co-payment will I pay, and is there a maximum?

If an approval you believe is justified is rejected, ask the hospital for the reason in writing and contact the insurer first. Since March 2024, the Insurance Authority has regulated the health insurance sector, and you can escalate to it if the issue is not resolved.

Questions to ask before you choose

• How many cases like mine does this team treat each year?
• Is there a multidisciplinary team that discusses complex cases?
• How long is the wait for an appointment or operation?
• How does follow-up work after treatment, and who do I contact if complications appear?

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a referral for a government hospital in Riyadh?

For non-emergency care, the journey usually starts at a primary care centre, which refers you when needed. Emergencies are received directly.

How do I know a doctor is licensed?

Use the health practitioner registration validity service on the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties website, or ask the hospital about the doctor’s classification and specialty.

What if my insurer rejects an approval request?

Ask for the reason in writing, contact the insurer, and escalate to the Insurance Authority if the issue is not resolved.

How HealTrip can help

HealTrip is not a hospital. It is a platform being built to organise your journey: preparing your medical file, pointing you to the right specialty and connecting you with the best-fit doctor and facility. The platform is currently in pre-launch and does not provide medical services before licensing is complete. How to choose the right clinic and doctor · اقرأ بالعربية.

Other cities

• How to choose a hospital in Jeddah
• How to choose a hospital in the Eastern Province
• How to choose a hospital in Al-Ahsa