Can I have two Health Insurance Plans in the UAE?

Health insurance is a contract between you and an insurance company to cover your medical expenses. It helps in reducing the financial burden of healthcare costs. 

You might have wondered, can you have more than one health insurance in the UAE? 

This write-up will explore whether it is possible to hold dual health insurance coverage in the UAE and check the regulations and guidelines in place. 

Can I Have Two Health Insurance Plans in the UAE?

Here is a detailed breakdown of the dual health insurance coverage regulations across different Emirates in the UAE — 

1. Dubai

Dubai Health Authority (DHA) strictly regulates health insurance plans in Dubai to provide comprehensive coverage for all residents. 

Here are the key points — 

• Single Policy Rule: You cannot hold two health insurance plans simultaneously. This is to prevent overlapping coverage and administrative complications.
• Switching Plans: If you wish to switch from a group health insurance plan (provided by your employer) to an individual plan, you must —
  • Purchase the individual plan first to get continuous coverage
  • After securing the individual plan, you can then cancel the group health plan provided by your employer
• Comprehensive Coverage: It’s advisable to select a comprehensive health insurance plan that includes a wide range of benefits to cover all your medical needs, which reduces the necessity for multiple plans.

1. Abu Dhabi

In Abu Dhabi, the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD) oversees health insurance regulations with a similar approach — 

• Single Policy Rule: Holding two health insurance policies at the same time is not allowed.
• Switching Plans: The process for switching from a group health policy to an individual plan is slightly different —
  • You must first cancel your existing group health policy.
  • Obtain a Certificate of Cancellation (COC) from your group insurer.
  • Once you have the COC, you can purchase an individual health insurance plan.
• Providing Coverage: Make sure the individual plan you purchase after cancellation offers comprehensive benefits so that all your healthcare needs are met without gaps.

1. Other Emirates

The other emirates, including Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah, follow similar health insurance regulations — 

• Single Policy Rule: Like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, these Emirates do not allow dual health insurance coverage.
• Switching Plans: The procedure involves:
  • Purchasing an individual health plan first
  • Cancelling the existing group health insurance plan afterward for uninterrupted coverage
• Comprehensive Plans: Opting for a comprehensive health insurance plan is important so that all your medical needs are covered under a single policy.

UAE Health Insurance Coverage Rules

Health insurance in the UAE is regulated to ensure residents and citizens receive adequate healthcare coverage. Given below are the basic health insurance coverage rules across different Emirates — 

1. Mandatory Coverage: In Dubai and Abu Dhabi, health insurance is mandatory for all residents, including expats. 

Employers are required to provide health insurance for their employees. Sponsors must also provide insurance for their dependents.

1. Minimum Coverage Requirements:
   • Dubai: The Essential Benefits Plan (EBP) is the minimum coverage standard that all employers must provide. This plan includes coverage for general practitioner services, specialist consultations, surgical procedures, emergency care, and maternity care​. 
   • Abu Dhabi: The Basic Plan is the minimum requirement, offering similar coverage to the EBP. It includes inpatient and outpatient services, medications, and maternity care​. 
2. Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions: Both Dubai and Abu Dhabi require that health insurance plans cover pre-existing conditions after a waiting period, usually 6 months from the start of the policy​.
3. Dependents' Coverage: Sponsors in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are obligated to cover their dependents, which includes spouses, children, and domestic workers. This confirms that all family members have access to necessary healthcare services.
4. Switching Between Plans: As per the dual health insurance coverage rules, individuals cannot hold two health insurance plans simultaneously. 

As we saw earlier, in Dubai, individuals must purchase an individual plan before cancelling their group plan. In Abu Dhabi, meanwhile, the group health policy must be cancelled first before obtaining an individual plan due to the requirement of a Certificate of Cancellation (COC)​. 

Simplify Your Health Insurance Coverage with One Comprehensive Plan

Having answered the question — ‘Can I have two health insurance plans in the UAE?’ — let’s understand what you can do to get the best coverage. 

As you cannot buy two health insurance plans in the UAE, it is recommended to instead purchase a comprehensive health insurance policy that offers added benefits. This way, you won’t face the need for multiple health insurance plans. 

A well-rounded health insurance plan can provide extensive coverage for various medical needs, including inpatient and outpatient services, emergency care, and pre-existing conditions. 

By choosing a comprehensive policy, you can secure your health and financial well-being without the complications of managing dual health insurance coverage.