UAE | Health

Health cover is mandatory

Expatriates new to the country must provide evidence of a health insurance registration before applying for a work or visit visa.

  • By Dina El Shammaa, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 00:14 January 3, 2009
  • Gulf News

  • A wide choice of health insurance firms is available in the UAE.
  • Image Credit: Gulf News archive

Abu Dhabi: Expatriates new to the country must provide evidence of a health insurance registration before applying for a work or visit visa.

The usual scenario however, includes an employer providing his employees and their dependents (spouse and children under 18) with a valid health insurance plan.

Individuals and small companies who are not eligible for a basic health insurance plan must undergo a process of underwriting and medical evaluation prior to the issuance of their insurance policies.

Certain factors such as deductibles, medical condition, age, gender, selection of a plan, marital status, weight and pre-existing conditions are put into consideration once an individual applies for a health insurance plan. In accordance to those factors, a specific calculation for a premium product is offered to the client.

Individuals and/or companies have a choice of 30 different health insurance companies across the emirate of Abu Dhabi. Each company has its own calculations in estimating the health services that a member needs within a year of medical coverage.

"Calculations differ from one individual to another depending on the exposure level of each factor. A plan with an international territory, for example, will have a higher premium as well as a member with a pre-existing diseases or high plan benefits," said Michael Bitzer, chief executive officer for the National Health Insurance Company (Daman), partners with the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD).

The health insurance scheme offers three kinds of policies for coverage:

Basic Health Insurance Policy - for individuals with monthly salaries less than Dh5,000 or Dh4,000 plus housing allowance.

The premium is set at Dh600 and the Enhanced Health Insurance Policy - for all other individuals. These policies include basic products plus additional coverage as per the agreement between the beneficiary and the insurance company.

Emergencies

Emergency Health Insurance Policy is for all visitors to the emirates in the event of an emergency. The premium is set according to the duration of the visit and in consideration of the prices in the market.

Health insurance policies are valid for one year after the date of issuance and should be renewed annually. The insured are not entitled to claim back the premium.

Checklist: Health Insurance Companies in the UAE

  • National Health Insurance Company (Daman)
  • Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company
  • Al Sagr National Insurance Company
  • Al Wathba National Insurance Company
  • Al Khazna Insurance Company
  • Al Buhaira National Insurance Company
  • Emirates Insurance Company
  • Abu Dhabi National Takaful Company -Takaful
  • Ras Al Khaimah National Insurance Company
  • Al Ain Ahlia Insurance Company
  • American Life Insurance Company
  • Arab Orient Insurance Company
  • Alliance insurance Company
  • Qatar Insurance Company
  • Arabian Scandinavian Insurance Company
  • Al Dhafra Insurance Company
  • Lebanese Insurance Company
  • Al Fujairah National Insurance Company
  • Arabia Insurance Company
  • Islamic Arab Insurance Company (Salana)
  • United Insurance Company
  • Dubai Islamic Insurance & Reinsurance Co (Aman)
  • Oman Insurance Company
  • Saudi Arabian Insurance Company
  • National General Insurance Company
  • Axa Insurance - Gulf
  • Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance (Middle East) Ltd
  • Noor Takaful Family
  • Dubai Insurance Company
  • Green Crescent Insurance Company

- For more information on a health insurance plan, you may contact either one of the above health insurance companies or the Health Authority Abu Dhabi on Toll free 800 3900 or through info@haad.ae/www.haad.ae

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