Expert Series: Your Guide Towards the Health Insurance Coverage in the UAE

In line with the implementation of the mandatory health insurance law in the UAE in January 2025, Doo Wealth UAE sat down with our medical underwriter, Akhila Nechiyil, to understand more about the insights of health insurance in the UAE.???

(1) How to define health insurance in the UAE??

Health insurance acts as the safety net for medical expenses for the UAE citizens. It is a mandatory asset to everyone in the country, and there are 2 main types of health insurance in the UAE:?

a. Basic Health Insurance Plan?

These cover the essentials such as doctors’ visits, emergencies, and hospitalization costs.?

b. Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan?

These not only cover the essentials but also provide additional coverage for maternity costs, dental costs, and optometry costs. Occasionally, it will also include coverage for overseas treatments.?

(2) Why is the UAE introducing the nationwide mandatory health insurance law, and how does this differ from the previous laws in the country????

This new law was enacted to bridge the gap in access to healthcare in the UAE and reduce the strain on public hospitals in the country. This will allow the citizens and expatriates in the UAE to have access to healthcare without any discretion through providing financial support to them.????

Previously, only Dubai and Abu Dhabi had rules in place for employers to provide health insurance for their employees, but now it will be extended to the whole nation.?

(3) Who will bear the cost of the health insurance with this new mandatory law????

Your employer will cover your health insurance if you’re an employee in a company. However, if the coverage is for your family and dependents, or if you are a freelancer, you will need to pay for it from your own pocket.?

(4) What should I consider when I’m buying a health insurance policy????

The 3 factors that you must consider are:?

a. Coverage limits – Is it enough to cover major treatments??

b. Hospital network – Does it include your preferred clinic or hospital??

c. Exclusions – What are the pre-existing conditions or treatments that are excluded from the policy??

As for businesses, the key factors to be considered would be cost-effectiveness and the comprehensiveness of the policy for their employees.?

(5) What is usually covered under health insurance policies in the UAE? Are there any added benefits covered under the policies????

Standard coverage will include doctor visits, emergencies, medicine prescriptions, surgeries, and maternity care. However, if you opt for a comprehensive plan, you may have additional coverage of dental care, optometry treatments, preventive care, and even wellness benefits.?

(6) What is the common mistake that people make about their health insurance????

The most common mistake is assuming that everything is covered under their health insurance policy. Oftentimes, people tend to forget to check for the exclusions or the network of hospitals that are covered, and they are surprised when their claim gets rejected.

(7) What is the claims process for health insurance and what are the common reasons for a claim rejection????

If your policy has direct billing, the clinic or hospital will deal directly with the insurer. For the rest, you will have to pay upfront and submit receipts and documents for reimbursements from the insurance company.??

In usual times, claims are rejected for 3 reasons:?

a. Missing paperwork.?

b. Treatments outside the coverage.?

c. The claim exceeded the policy limits.?

Along with this informative interview, Akhila Nechiyil stressed the importance of health insurance in the UAE.??

With just 1 month left before the implementation of the mandatory law, Doo Wealth UAE would like to remind all to acquire health insurance before it’s too late.?

Come to us and let us help you find the best health insurance solution tailored to your needs!?