Does Health Insurance Cover Monkeypox?

A health insurance policy has become the need of the hour more than ever before, given that the world is facing the COVID-19 pandemic while also witnessing the outbreak of monkeypox. To date, over 70 countries across the world have reported cases of monkeypox, with the UAE having about 16 cases of the disease. 

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has laid out specific guidelines to combat the disease. The United Nations’ health organisation, i.e., the World Health Organisation (WHO), on the other hand, has declared the monkeypox outbreak a global emergency. 

Read further to find out what measures you should take to prevent the disease from spreading and why health insurance in the current scenario is vital. The article will also throw light on the top health insurance plans in the UAE. 

Monkeypox - A Brief 

Monkeypox, a viral zoonosis first reported in Africa, now has spread across the world. Similar to smallpox, it has flu-like symptoms along with the occurrence of blisters. Some of the common symptoms of the disease are –

• Fever
• Chills
• Muscle pain
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Swollen lymph nodes

In this light, the MoHAP has laid down some guidelines for UAE residents and nationals to follow. They include –

1. Preventive Measures – The MoHAP has advised travellers to not touch any infected animals and avoid eating any wild animals. The guidelines also suggest washing hands regularly using soap and water or an alcohol-infused sanitiser. 

2. Isolation Protocol – If you have come in contact with an infected person or animal, you would need to practice home quarantine. For this –

• Make sure that you are staying in a well-ventilated room with an attached bathroom
• Use your personal items like utensils rather than sharing the ones used by the entire house
• Monitor symptoms like fever, rash, or swollen lymph nodes
• Check your temperature regularly
• Take all the precautionary measures like doing laundry and washing dishes separately

3. Tests and Diagnosis – The MoHAP states that you should quarantine yourself for at least 21 days in a single room if diagnosed with the disease. If there are no symptoms, you should not get yourself tested for the disease. However, if the symptoms appear, you should go to the nearest hospital and get the PCR test done. 

In case your result comes out to be positive, you will be notified about the isolation procedure. 

UN’s Announcement – A Backdrop

On July 24th, 2022, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared monkeypox a global emergency as it has now spread across more than 70 countries. Though the disease has its roots in Central and West Africa, it has now spread to several European and North American nations. 

By declaring this a global emergency, the WHO has made an appeal to draw the attention of world leaders to the outbreak. 

Why Should You Purchase a Health Insurance in Such a Situation?

With the cases of monkeypox increasing across the world, it becomes vital to ensure that your health insurance policy covers you against Monkeypox. Most health insurance plans in the UAE offer coverage for viral infections, meaning that the expenditure and treatment for monkeypox are automatically covered under the health insurance in the UAE. 

Top Health Insurance Plans in the UAE 

Given below are the top health insurance UAE plans that one can consider in the current situation of the outbreak.

Features of Adamjee – Silk Road – Plan C

1. Coverage – Worldwide

2. Coverage Criteria for Pre-existing and Chronic Conditions –

• All the already existing medical conditions should be mentioned in the application form
• Sub-limit of AED 150,000 for the conditions’ coverage will apply
• Undeclared conditions will not be covered during the policy tenure and will be underwritten at the time of renewal 

3. MedNet’s Global Emergency Assistance Services Covered via Assist America –

• No financial limitations
• International emergency medical evacuation
• International hospital admission support
• Repatriation of remains from anywhere in the world
• Medical valuation, consultation, referral, and monitoring
• Care for a minor and compassionate visit

4. Network –

• Outpatient Services – Mednet Silk Road
• Inpatient and Emergency Services – Mednet Silk Road

Features of Dubai National Insurance – Silk Road – Plan A

1. Coverage – Worldwide

2. Coverage Criteria for Pre-existing and Chronic Conditions –

• All the pre-existing medical conditions must be disclosed in the application form
• There is a sub-limit of AED 150,000 for the conditions’ coverage. 
• Undeclared conditions will not be covered during the policy tenure and will be underwritten during the renewal 

3. Global Emergency Assistance Services Coverage through Assist America –

• Option of emergency medical evacuation globally
• Option of hospitalisation assistance globally
• Repatriation of mortal remains
• International medical evaluation, consultation, referral, and monitoring
• There is no financial limit under this benefit

4. Network –

• Outpatient Services – Mednet Silk Road
• Inpatient and Emergency Services – Mednet Silk Road

5. Emergency treatment – Requires approval of the insurance company within 24 hours of hospitalisation into a network hospital

6. Test, diagnosis, and treatment in the authorised hospital – Prior approval from the insurer or the third party aggregator needed

7. Private room upon hospitalisation

8. Ambulance service

Features of Takaful Emarat – Silver

1. Coverage – UAE and extended up to South East Asia for inpatient treatment as per the UAE customary rates

2. Network Name – NEXTCARE RN3

3. Semi-private room upon hospitalisation

4. Pre-existing and Chronic Medical Conditions –

• Cover of up to AED 150,000
• No waiting period if you are renewing the policy
• Waiting of 6 months for the first membership
• Emergency ambulance service 

5. Emergency Treatment – Subject to approval from the insurer within the first 24 hours of admission into a network hospital

6. Healthcare services for medical emergencies – Prior approval from the insurance provider mandatory

Features of Orient Insurance – Health Plus – Plan 2

1. Coverage Region – Worldwide

2. Network – NEXTCARE GN

3. Network Coverage

• Clinics – 1,252
• Dental – 77
• Hospitals – 115
• Pharmacies – 1,696
• Diagnostics Centres and Laboratories – 71
• Optical – 110 

4. Inpatient Services –

• Room Type – Private Room
• Ambulance Service
• Inpatient Services – covered as reimbursement of up to AED 300 for each night’s stay for up to 10 nights
• Home Nursing – Covered up to AED 7,500 per person per annum

Features of Takaful Emarat – Platinum

1. Territorial Coverage – Worldwide

2. Medical Network – NEXTCARE GN

3. Private Room Accommodation

4. Emergency Ambulance Service

5. Claim Settlement – Direct billing if the insured is admitted into a network hospital. Reimbursement of 80% of the bill in select network hospitals. 

6. Repatriation of the mortal remains – up to AED 15,000 per person per year

Documents Required to Purchase a Health Insurance Plan in the UAE

The following is the list of documents that you need to possess when applying for a health insurance plan in the UAE –

• Resident Visa
• Passport-sized photograph
• Contact information of the family doctor
• Salary slip
• Address proof in the form of electricity bills or utility bills
• Medical test report
• Passport copy

Purchase Your Health Insurance Plan on Policybazaar UAE

If you want to purchase a health insurance plan that covers viral diseases like monkeypox, you can explore the best insurance plans on policybazaar.ae. Our website offers the best plans at affordable rates in the UAE. In just a few clicks, you can browse all the available plans and select one of them. Additionally, you can get 24-by-7 customer support if you get stuck while purchasing a plan, or even contact our insurance experts to guide you in purchasing the most suitable plan for yourself.

Applying for a health insurance plan from Policybazaar UAE is just a matter of a few minutes (and clicks). Once you are at policybazaar.ae, navigate to the ‘health insurance’ section and fill out the lead form present there. After you submit this form by filling in details concerning your car and other personal details, you can check out the top health insurance plans listed in one place for your consideration. You can then select any one of them and apply for it in an instant.

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