Health Insurance Dubai

What is Health Insurance?

Health Insurance can be considered a safety net that helps you navigate through unexpected medical expenses. Apart from being a mandatory requirement, health insurance Dubai protects you from the high costs of medical bills and treatments. This helps in reducing the financial burden of paying for expensive medical treatments out of pocket and protects you and your family against financial loss due to unexpected health issues. From routine check-ups to major surgeries, an appropriate insurance plan will cover all your medical needs under one roof!

Key Features of Health Insurance

Here are the prominent features of health insurance UAE -

Types of Health Insurance in UAE

In the UAE, health insurance plans can be differentiated based on various factors such as the type of coverage provided by the insurer, network of healthcare providers, premium amount, deductible amount, maximum coverage limit, and more. You can choose the health plans as per your requirements and budget after considering all the factors.

Depending on the coverage, we can classify the UAE health insurance plans as follows:

1. Individual Insurance

Individual health insurance plan is specially designed for individuals and offers financial coverage against treatment expenses and emergency medical bills.

Benefits of Health Insurance Dubai, UAE

The main purpose of insurance is to safeguard your finances in case of medical emergencies. It helps you protect your and your family's health from unforeseen situations and prepares you for potential health risks.

The following are the main benefits of health insurance in UAE -

Medical Expenses Coverage

Health insurance in the UAE pays a portion of covered medical costs either directly to the facility or as reimbursement, depending on your chosen plan and coverage level. The following are the types of medical expenses covered -

Expenses	Description
In-patient Hospitalisation Expenses	These expenses pertain to extended hospital stays for severe medical conditions, such as chronic illnesses, surgeries, injuries, and more. They encompass hospital room and meal charges, medical procedures, medications, and other related costs, which can be substantial.
Pre-Hospitalisation Expenses	Pre-hospitalisation expenses cover medical costs like doctor visits, diagnostic tests, and prescription drugs prior to planned or unplanned in-patient hospital stays, which are associated with the illness leading to hospitalisation.
Post Hospitalisation Expenses	Post-hospitalisation coverage extends to medical expenses such as follow-up visits and treatments after discharge, typically lasting up to 60 days.
Daycare Expenses	Such expenses, typically for non-overnight medical procedures like ear or cataract surgery, may be partially covered by your insurance. Check your policy for daycare procedure coverage."

Eligibility to Buy UAE Health Insurance Plans

The eligibility criteria to buy health insurance Dubai, UAE plans may vary depending on the insurance provider and the specific plan. However, some common eligibility criteria include the following:

Eligibility Criteria	Specifications
Age Criteria for Adults	18 Years - 60+ Years
Age Criteria for Dependent Children	Birth - 17 Years
Pre-Existing Health Condition Waiting Period	Minimum 6 Months

Criteria for Age

In the UAE, adults between the age of 18 and 99 years can apply for health insurance. On the other hand, children can get covered from birth.

Pre-Existing Disease Waiting Period

In the UAE, there is a minimum of 6 months waiting period for pre-existing diseases for health insurance plans. However, the tenure may vary for each health insurance company, plan, health condition, and more.

Top Reasons to Buy Health Insurance Dubai & UAE

Apart from the legal requirement, there are several other reasons why buying health insurance Dubai is important for you - 

• Health insurance plans cover major medical expenses such as those related to doctor visits, diagnostic tests, hospitalisation, and more
• Offers financial security to the insured individual and their family by covering the medical treatment costs
• Ensures peace of mind and security
• Provides free medical check-ups at regular intervals
• Covers pre-existing medical conditions
• Provides funds for emergency medical cases

List of Health/Medical Plans in UAE

 

Health Insurance UAE Plans Inclusions & Exclusions

Know All About the In-Patient VS Out-Patient in Health Insurance

Documents Required for Health Insurance Dubai, UAE

If you are applying for a UAE health insurance policy online, the requirement for documents is minimal. Given below is the list of documents required for the health insurance Dubai, UAE application process

• Sponsor Passport Copy (Front Page)
• Sponsor Visa Page
• Sponsor Emirates ID
• Applicant (Dependent) Passport Copy (Front Page)
• Applicant (Dependent) Visa Page
• Applicant (Dependent) Emirates ID
• Medical Application Form (MAF)
• BOR (if insured from another broker)
• Previous Proof of Insurer Needed

Factors Affecting Premium of Health Insurance Dubai, UAE

The following are the factors that affect your health insurance cost in the UAE -

• Age
• Body Mass Index (BMI)
• Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

Note - People with existing diseases have serious health concerns and are likely to face even more serious issues later, due to which the health insurance premium tends to increase in their case.

• Lifestyle Habits Like Smoking
• Profession
• Riders

Choose Best & Cheapest Health Insurance Dubai & UAE 2023

Dubai's thriving healthcare industry offers a wide range of medical insurance options from various providers. These insurance companies provide insurance policies designed to cater to the diverse healthcare needs of individuals and families in Dubai.

Some of the best health insurance companies in Dubai are listed below

What are Health Insurance Riders in UAE?

Health insurance riders are optional benefits that can be added to your insurance policy to customise coverage for specific healthcare needs or situations. Health insurance companies typically offer them as a way for you to tailor your health insurance policies to better meet your unique healthcare requirements.

The common UAE health insurance riders include the following – 

• Maternity Coverage:  As per the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) regulations, maternity coverage is mandatory in all health insuracne plans. However, you can opt for this rider and extend the benefits already provided in your policy.
• Dental or Vision Coverage: As some health insurance Dubai policies do not include dental or vision coverage, a rider can be added to provide coverage for these services.
• Geographical Coverage Extension: With the help of this rider, you can increase the geographical coverage area of your policy. Some popular geographical coverage extensions include worldwide cover, gulf region extension cover, and more. 

You can contact the concerned insurer or our customer representative team to get the required add-ons on your health insurance policy. 

Health Insurance Calculator

 

How to Calculate Health Insurance Premiums?

Calculating health insurance cost in the UAE generally involves several factors that are considered by insurance providers. Here are some of the key factors that can affect the insurance premium in the UAE:

• Age: In general, older individuals have higher premiums than younger individuals as the former may be more likely to require healthcare services. Thus, buying UAE medical insurance at a young age is recommended.
• Health Status: An individual's health status can impact the cost of health insurance premiums. Individuals with pre-existing conditions or a history of health issues may be charged higher premiums. 

Health Insurance Claim

There are two types of health insurance claims in the UAE – Cashless Claims and Reimbursement Claims. The former allows you to receive medical treatment or facility without paying out of pocket, as the concerned health insurance provider will pay directly for the healthcare or medical facility. On the other hand, the latter type of claim requires you to pay for the medical treatment or services upfront and submit a claim to the insurance provider for reimbursement later.

How to File a Health Insurance Claim?

Let’s discuss in detail how you can file a health insurance Dubai claim - 

Cashless Claim or Claim Made Within The Hospital Network

• If your insurance provider has a network of hospitals, choose a hospital from the network where you can go for your treatment.
• Inform the insurance company that you need to make a cashless medical claim so that they verify the claim and other details.
• Once you reach the hospital, show your medical card and fill out the specified forms such as the pre-authorisation form, third-party authorisation form, and more.
• The concerned medical facility will forward the forms to your insurer for cashless claim approval.
• Meanwhile, provide the required documents to the hospital like your identity proof and KYC documents at the third-party admission counter in the hospital. Keep in mind that you may require submitting additional documents if required. 
• The insurance provider will review the forms and determine whether the treatment requested is covered by your UAE medical insurance policy.
• If the request is approved, the insurance provider will issue an authorisation letter to the hospital. You can then receive the treatment at the hospital without paying upfront.
• If any expenses are not covered by your policy, such as deductibles or copayments, you will need to settle these directly with the hospital.

Medical Insurance VS Health Insurance - Explained!

Medical insurance, often referred to as health-specific or critical illness insurance, plays a vital role in the broader landscape of healthcare coverage. While health insurance policies are designed to cover a wide array of medical expenses, such as routine check-ups, preventive care, and prescription drugs, medical insurance has a more specialized focus.

Medical insurance comes into play when individuals face the daunting prospect of a serious illness or injury. It serves as a financial safeguard against the often exorbitant costs associated with treatments, hospital stays, surgeries, and medications necessary to combat these critical health conditions. This form of insurance is particularly valuable for individuals and families facing chronic illnesses, cancer diagnoses, or other severe health challenges.

Aspect	Health Insurance	Medical Insurance
Coverage Scope	Broad, encompassing various health-related expenses.	Specific, targeting particular medical expenses and illnesses.
Typical Purchasers	Individuals, often provided by employers as a workplace benefit.	Usually added to a health insurance policy as an additional coverage.
Covered Expenses	Preventive care, routine doctor visits, prescription drugs, etc.	Expenses related to surgeries, hospitalization, rehabilitation, etc.
Financial Structure	May involve co-payments or deductibles for certain services.	May offer a lump-sum payment to cover extra expenses and income loss during recovery.

Common UAE Health Insurance Terms

Given below is some health protection jargon that you should be aware of – 

Deductibles

Deductibles is the amount that a policyholder is required to pay at a medical facility before the insurer starts covering the costs of healthcare services.

Co-Payment

Co-payment is a cost-sharing arrangement between the policyholder and the insurance company where the policyholder agrees to pay a percentage of the medical expenses out of their own pocket while the insurance company covers the remaining percentage of the cost.