# What is underwriting and how it impacts your health insurance plan?

**Published:** 2023-01-02T10:11:49.447Z
**Updated:** 2026-08-13T13:02:06.301Z
**Author:** Mousree Das
**Reviewer:** Toshita Chauhan
**Original Url:** https://www.policybazaar.ae/health-insurance/articles/what-is-underwriting-and-how-it-impacts-your-health-insurance-plan/

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Let’s be honest — health insurance in the UAE can feel overwhelming, especially when unfamiliar terms like ‘underwriting’ pop up out of nowhere. You’re probably wondering, “Why do I need to go through this process just to get medical coverage?” or “Is this some kind of exam I have to pass?”

Take a deep breath — you’re not alone! Millions of UAE residents and expats go through this every year. If you're applying for your first policy, renewing a plan, or upgrading to premium coverage, there's a hidden step behind the scenes that could shape your health protection: medical underwriting.

But what exactly is it? Why does it matter? And how does it impact your coverage, costs, or claim approvals? Let’s understand everything in more detail!

## What is Medical Underwriting?

Medical underwriting is the process used by insurance companies to assess your health condition before issuing a policy.

A medical insurance underwriter reviews your medical history, current conditions, age, lifestyle, and family history. Based on this, they decide —

1.  ✅ If you qualify for a policy
2.  📊 What your premium will be
3.  🧾 What exclusions (like pre-existing conditions) might apply

In the UAE, this is particularly relevant for individual health plans or when switching providers. For instance, if you apply for a premium policy from an insurer in Dubai, they may ask you to fill out a medical questionnaire or undergo a basic health screening.

## Who is a Medical Insurance Underwriter?

The medical insurance underwriter is like a behind-the-scenes referee (for football fans: think VAR!). They don’t meet you in person, but they decide a lot about your insurance future.

They assess —

1.  Your age (older = higher risk)
2.  Past surgeries, hospitalisations, chronic diseases (like diabetes or hypertension)
3.  Habits like smoking, alcohol use, or a high BMI

## Why Do Insurance Companies Use Underwriting in the UAE?

Let’s face it — insurance is a business. In the UAE, just like anywhere else, insurers must balance offering coverage while managing risk. Underwriting helps companies ensure that their insurance plans remain sustainable and accessible to people across various strata.

🔐 Underwriting helps insurance companies —

1.  Avoid unexpected high costs
2.  Design custom plans
3.  Offer competitive pricing while staying profitable

Without this process, insurers would either deny too many people or charge everyone more to spread the risk.

## Do All Health Insurance Plans in the UAE Require Medical Underwriting?

This is a common question — and the answer might surprise you:  
No, not every health insurance plan in the UAE requires medical underwriting.

In fact, many plans are approved without needing any medical screening or health questions at all. This is especially the case if you're applying for —

1.  ✅ **Employer-provided (Group) Insurance Plans**
2.  ✅ **Essential Benefit Plans (EBP) for low-income workers**
3.  ✅ **Government-mandated basic policies in Dubai and Abu Dhabi**

These types of plans are generally guaranteed issues, meaning they are available to everyone regardless of age, medical history, or lifestyle habits.

## UAE Medical Insurance Underwriting Process: Step-by-Step

Here’s what generally happens when you apply for a new health insurance plan in the UAE —

| Step | Details |
| --- | --- |
| 📋 Health Questionnaire | Fill out a form about past illnesses, treatments, or surgeries |
| 🏥 Medical Reports | Some insurers request lab tests or doctor reports |
| 📞 Tele-underwriting | A phone call to verify answers or ask follow-up questions |
| ✅ Decision | Approve, decline, exclude conditions, or add premium loadings |

Let’s walk through the process step by step through the example of Sara. She is a 36-year-old expat living in Dubai, who recently applied for a new medical insurance plan with wider maternity and dental benefits.

### **📋 Step 1: Tell Us About You**

The first thing Sara had to do was fill out a health declaration form. This questionnaire asked her about —

1.  Past surgeries or hospitalisations
2.  Current medications, if any
3.  Chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, and so on
4.  Family medical history (optional in some cases)
5.  Lifestyle habits like smoking, alcohol, or fitness routines

| 💡 **Sara’s Case**<br>Sara ticked ‘Yes’ for thyroid issues, which she was diagnosed with 5 years ago. She’s on regular medication but in a stable condition. |
| --- |

### **🏥 Step 2: Proof of Your Health**

Depending on the answers, the insurance company might request supporting documents. This includes —

1.  Blood test results
2.  Doctor’s prescriptions
3.  Hospital discharge summaries

| 💡 **Sara’s Case**<br>Since Sara disclosed her thyroid condition, the underwriter asked her for her latest blood test results (TSH levels) and a note from her endocrinologist confirming her condition is under control.<br>This helps the insurer assess the risk accurately, instead of rejecting her policy outright. |
| --- |

### **📞 Step 3: Let’s Have a Chat**

In some cases, the insurer might follow up with a quick phone call. This is known as tele-underwriting.

It helps them —-

1.  Clarify any unclear responses
2.  Understand your treatment history better
3.  Gauge your general health and honesty

| **💡 Sara’s Case**<br>Sara received a call from the underwriting team who politely asked about her last hospital visit and whether she had experienced any symptoms in the past year. She explained everything was under control and she hadn’t missed any follow-ups. |
| --- |

### **✅ Step 4: Here’s What We Can Offer**

Once all the documents and data are reviewed, the underwriter makes a decision. There are generally four outcomes —

| **Outcome** | **What It Means** |
| --- | --- |
| ✅ Approved Standard | You're covered fully, with no extra cost |
| 💰 Approved with Loading | You're covered, but you’ll pay extra |
| 🚫 Conditionally Approved | You’re approved, but certain illnesses are excluded |
| ❌ Declined | Your application is not accepted |

| 💡 Sara’s Result<br>She received approval with a 15% premium loading due to her thyroid condition. However, her condition was not excluded, which means her medication and check-ups are covered — a fair outcome for everyone involved. |
| --- |

## How Does Medical Underwriting Impact Your Health Insurance Premium in UAE?

Premiums in the UAE are directly influenced by the underwriting outcome. Here's how —

1.  Clean health history: Lower premiums
2.  Minor issues: Slight loading (e.g., +10–20%)
3.  Major illnesses: Higher loading or condition excluded
4.  Serious condition (e.g., cancer): Possible decline

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## Myths Busted: Medical Underwriting Misconceptions

| **🧠 Myth** | **✅ Fact** |
| --- | --- |
| You will be automatically rejected if you have a pre-existing condition | Many UAE insurers will still approve your policy — either with a loading or condition-specific exclusion |
| It's better to hide past health issues to get a cheaper plan | If you hide information and a claim arises, your policy can be cancelled and claims denied<br>Honesty is indeed the best policy for your policy coverage! |
| Underwriting is only about major diseases like cancer | Even minor issues like high BMI, smoking, or past surgeries can impact the underwriting outcome |
| Once you're rejected by one insurer, no other company will cover you | You can still apply to other insurers — each company has its own underwriting rules and risk limits |
| Young and healthy people don't need to worry about underwriting | Underwriting still applies — applying young often means lower premiums and easier approval |

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### What is medical underwriting?

It’s the process of evaluating your health and assessing the involved risks before approving an insurance policy.

### Do I need medical tests?

Yes, especially if you are applying for high coverage or have a health condition.

### Can I be denied coverage in the UAE?

Yes, but usually only for serious or undeclared conditions. DHA offers alternatives.

### Will my premiums go up after underwriting?

Yes, your premiums might increase after underwriting — especially if you're a higher risk due to age or illness.

### Can I switch plans without going through underwriting again?

Some group or employer-provided plans don't require underwriting.

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