Abu Dhabi: From July 1 onwards, Emiratis in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi will have to pay 20 per cent of the fees for treatment received at private healthcare facilities in Abu Dhabi.
They will also have to shell out 50 per cent of the fees if they seek treatment at facilities outside the Emirate when the type of care is already available in Abu Dhabi.
Meanwhile, expatriate workers aged 40 years and older who receive a salary of up to Dh5,000 and are covered by the Abu Dhabi Basic insurance plan may also have an optional co-payment extending up to 50 per cent of the plan premium.
In addition, expat employees under this Basic plan will have to pay 50 per cent of the insurance premium for dependants, namely spouse and three children below the age of 18 years. The cost of insurance for other dependants, such as parents and fourth child, will have to fully borne by the individual.
The changes in health insurance charges were announced on June 30 by the Emirate’s healthcare sector regulator, the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (Haad).
“Haad is working towards a more sustainable healthcare sector by encouraging competition and further improving the quality and breadth of the healthcare offering. Implementing these changes is an important new step towards fulfilling our vision for a ‘healthier Abu Dhabi’. These measures will further contribute to our ongoing efforts to increase efficiency, standardise operations and increase the sector’s financial viability – for the benefit of the patient, and the healthcare system as a whole,” said Adeeb Al Zaabi, manager of corporate communication department at Haad.
Fertility treatments for Emiratis will also now only be covered at government facilities, with the exception of one attempt a year being covered at private hospitals. Coverage for orthodontic braces for those 18 years or older is also excluded, except in cases where medical necessity is justified.
