With a large expatriate working population, the UAE is seeking to cater to the varied needs of health insurance for residents, without putting too much strain on state budgets.
As per standard definition, health insurance coverage provides for the payments of benefits as a result of sickness or injury. Includes insurance for losses from accident, medical expense, disability, or accidental death and dismemberment.
Like in many parts of the world, because of the high premiums involved, it is the wealthy who can have specialised individual health insurance package. The rest depend on group insurance provided by the employer. In most cases, this in turn may only cover the employee, not their family dependents.
A new law is being enforced in Dubai to ensure that everyone has access to essential health services. This is seen by health providers as well as insurance companies as a game changer as it will open up the industry to a bigger customer base and make sure that everyone who needs access to a health services comes under the umbrella. The year 2016 will see the full rollout of the policy and benefits will percolate to the working class.
When looking for individual/ family or group coverage, the following are the salient factors to take into consideration:
• In-patient Treatment
• Out-patient Treatment
• Maternity Coverage
• New Born Coverage
• Dental Treatment
• Vaccinations
• Pre-existing Conditions
• Emergency Evacuation
Visitors to the UAE can also avail of health insurance packages depending on the duration of stay from travel agencies, and official tourism bodies. These policies have relatively low premiums and will cover accidents and emergencies during the visitor’s stay in the country.
Oman Insurance
Since 1990, Oman Insurance have been providing individual and family customers health insurance plans. Having insured in excess of 600,000 people in the UAE, Oman Insurance offers a wealth of experience and expertise in the industry. Individual Health Insurance schemes from Oman Insurance provide individual customers with the most appropriate coverage for themselves and their family members. There are seven health plans in total, making it easy for individuals to choose something that suits their personal requirements.
National Health Insurance
The National Health Insurance Company – Daman has a new range of individual health insurance plans designed exclusively for residents of Dubai and the Northern Emirates. The Care plans, featuring a number of variations, were created to address specific market demand in these Emirates by offering a range of flexible health insurance plans for individuals and families with different needs and budgets. The Care plans offer a wide range of existing services, new benefits, new medical coverage networks and are sub-divided into tiers: Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Chrome. This allows clients to select the level appropriate to their health insurance needs and budgets, offering them greater choice and flexibility.
AXA
AXA is one of the largest international players in the GCC. Present in the region for 65 years, AXA in the Gulf offers a wide range of insurance products and services for corporate and individual customers. The company has been awarded Insurer of the Year for the fifth consecutive year in 2014 and Personal Lines insurer for the third consecutive year in 2015 at the Mena Insurance Awards. AXA Gulf has a high standard of cover and provides excellent support to its members and offers plans authorised by all GCC health regulators.