In the United Arab Emirates, employer-provided health insurance for employees in the private sector has always been compulsory in Dubai and Abu Dhabi but not in Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah.
On 1 January 2025, this is set to change as medical insurance for UAE employees becomes mandatory nationwide. This is welcome news and will surely lighten the financial burden of obtaining health insurance.
It’s not clear yet what the specific terms of the new regulations will be. Will they follow the example set by Dubai and provide coverage only for the employee, or will they mimic Abu Dhabi’s policies and make employers responsible for the health insurance of their employees and these employees’ dependents (spouse and up to three children 18 years old and younger)?
The former is more likely, so if you are a private-sector employee in the UAE, you will still probably need to get health insurance for your spouse and children. It may even be a good idea to have a medical insurance policy distinct or separate from your employer-provided plan.
This is why the following discussion matters. Purchasing medical insurance—or any type of insurance, for that matter—should always be done after some serious consideration to ensure you’re making the right decision.
Before deciding on a particular health insurance plan, do the following:
- Analyse your financial needs thoroughly.
If you’re in the market for a notebook computer, chances are high that you will spend some time thinking about your needs and matching up those needs with computer specifications before deciding on which brand and model of computer to buy.
Actually, even when buying tomatoes in the supermarket, you probably spend at least half a minute thinking of your recipe and the number of servings you’re making before deciding on how many tomatoes to get, right? You must agree, then, that getting health insurance in the UAE for yourself and your family should merit at least a (proportionally) similar degree of consideration.
Before choosing a specific policy, consider what you need health insurance for. The following are some of your options:
- Essential healthcare: At the very least, you need hospitalisation benefits (hospital accommodation, inpatient diagnostics, inpatient medication, doctor’s visits), outpatient care (outpatient consultations, outpatient diagnostics, physiotherapy, outpatient medication), emergency services (emergency room visits, emergency treatment, emergency procedures, etc.), and surgery.
- Maternity and childcare: Are you a woman of childbearing age? It’s good to be proactive and choose a policy that pays for prenatal care, childbirth, the baby’s hospital accommodation, the baby’s essential diagnostic procedures, and postnatal services.
- Critical illnesses coverage: Critical illnesses can include cancer, heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, paralysis, organ transplantation, etc. The list of covered conditions will vary from plan to plan. Consider which critical illnesses your family has a history of and begin from there when listing the conditions you want your plan to cover. Note: Critical illness covers may be stand-alone policies or riders you can add to other plans.
- Specialised care: For good measure, you may want to add hospice care, physical therapy, dialysis treatments, at-home nursing support, ophthalmic care, dental services, and other special care options.
- Ambulance transport and repatriation services: If you can get it, consider a health insurance plan that includes ambulance transport in the UAE and abroad. You may also opt for a policy with medical repatriation benefits. This can be worth the extra premium if you’re in the UAE for work but are a citizen of one or more countries that offer free universal healthcare. This way, you can maximise your medical insurance in the UAE and take advantage of free health care in your country/countries of citizenship when needed.
- Preventative healthcare: Some plans include preventative care, such as annual physicals, well-being checks, dietician and nutritionist services, and gym memberships.
- Group your health insurance needs into three groups: must-haves, nice-to-haves, and never-minds.
- Create a shortlist of policies and start comparing.
Now, search for medical insurance policies that cover all your must-haves. The resulting options, rank according to your nice-to-haves.
Next, subject the options in your ranked list to a review according to premiums, benefit amounts, and features. Features can include how the insurance provides coverage: Is it through a hospital and provider network that allows for cashless treatment, or is it on a reimbursement basis? If it’s a cashless arrangement, check their list of affiliated hospitals and doctors to see if it includes your preferred institutions and service providers.
Compare the options in your shortlist and make sure you understand their coverage, benefits, and premiums. Do this diligently to find a policy that offers the best value for your money.
- Understand the underwriting and claims processes.
It’s also worth your time to evaluate an insurance company’s underwriting and claims processes. Check their claims settlement track record, too. You want an insurer with a proven history of providing quick and hassle-free claim settlements.
- Consult an insurance broker or agent.
Regulations and options can be complex in the UAE. If you need professional insights into which insurance plan you should choose, consider consulting an insurance broker.
Independent brokers are independent entities, and they can help you clarify what you need from your medical insurance policy and what the features and benefits of the policies in your shortlist mean. They may be able to give you practical and keen insights into which insurance plan is the best for you and your family.
Alternatively, if you’re sure you want to get your policy from a specific insurance company, talk to an insurance agent affiliated with your preferred insurer. They can help tell you about other policies you did not even know existed but are more aligned with your goals and requirements than the plans in your list.
Pick Wisely
Medical insurance plans provide you with the assurance that you can afford medical services when you need them. However, you must pick your health plan carefully using the above guidelines to ensure you and your loved ones get the cover you need.
