The United Arab Emirates introduced basic health insurance for all uninsured domestic and private sector workers in the nation. The plan is scheduled to launch on January 1. The plan will provide employees in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah with the same mandatory health insurance coverage that is currently available in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
The ministry is spearheading the plan in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Prevention, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security, and several insurance providers.
Cost and Working of the Scheme:
In order to issue or renew residency permits, employers must purchase the new health insurance policy. Employees whose work permits were issued prior to January 1, 2024, and are still in effect are exempt from the requirement; it will only be enforced when their residency permits are up for renewal. Employers can buy the new insurance package through the DubaiCare Network or any other product from approved insurance companies starting on January 1. These channels include the Insurance Pool website and smart application, as well as business service centres located throughout the nation.
- The duration of the insurance policy is two years. If the visa is cancelled, the second-year premium may be reimbursed.
- For employees with chronic illnesses, the basic insurance package has no waiting period and costs Dh320 ($87) annually.
- People under the age of 64 are covered, but those over 64 need to fill out a medical disclosure form and include current medical records.
- For inpatient care—patients in the hospital for treatment or surgery—the package covers treatment costs with a 20% co-payment.
- The insured individual pays a maximum of Dh500 per visit, with a Dh1,000 annual cap that includes prescription drugs.
- The insurance provider pays for all treatment expenses over these caps.
- Patients who need outpatient care, such as visits to the doctor, diagnostic tests, or minor procedures that don’t require a hospital stay, have a 25% co-payment, with the insured paying no more than Dh100 per visit.
- For follow-up appointments for the same condition within seven days, there is no co-payment needed. However, co-payments for prescription drugs are limited to 30%, with a Dh1,500 annual cap.
Forty-six clinics and medical centres, forty-five pharmacies, and seven hospitals comprise the health insurance network. As stated in the insurance policy, dependents of the employee’s family may be eligible for the same benefits and rates.
