Abu Dhabi conference highlights changes in health insurance industry

Abu Dhabi: Two years ago people living and working in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi had limited or no access to health insurance.

Now 1,031,000 members are enrolled under the National Health Insurance Company (DAMAN) and plans to increase that number across the UAE are under way.

A two day regional conference attracted more than 600 doctors, specialists, insurers, providers and officials on its first day and highlighted the significant changes witnessed in the past few years in the healthcare and health insurance industry.

Different speakers from DAMAN and Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD) covered various topics.

Some of which included the implementation of compulsory insurance, profits and pitfalls; improvement of quality in health care system; allocation of financial risk in healthcare systems; application of technology in healthcare insurance. Various Pharmaceutical lectures and workshops were also part of the programme.

According to Dr. Finn Goldner, Health Insurance Regulation, HAAD, the introduction of health insurance was one of the cornerstones of HAAD's new strategy, with three main goals. The first included universal access to quality health care for all residents of Abu Dhabi.

The second, to secure a larger role for the private sector to encourage customer satisfaction-based competition and informed consumer choice. The third, designing a financing system that has the proper incentive for national and international providers to invest in the health system.

Axel Tettenborn, Chief Operating Officer in DAMAN told Gulf News that one of the biggest challenges and plans for DAMAN is to standardize data exchange, coding diagnoses and procedures across the UAE, not just Abu Dhabi. This will result in a standardized, easier process for billing and insurance applications.

“We're concerned about around the clock convenience for providers, corporate's, brokers and of course end users who will be able to exchange ideas and experiences in health insurance to avoid the challenges faced by others in the past,'' said Tettenborn.

An electronic pilot project called E-Claim based on HAAD's requirements, which is part of E-Daman, is currently underway, where billing information that includes cost, price and diagnosis of patients will be electronically sent from health care providers to the insurance company.

According to Tettenborn, E-Claims will go live before the end of the year.

Phase two for E-claims will include enrollment and endorsement. “We have recently approached six private health care providers and SEHA to discuss the implementation of E-claims according to HAAD standards.''

In his speech during the conference, Zaid Al Siksik, CEO in HAAD revealed that the UAE has one of the highest birth rates in the world, which requires constant upgrading in the health care sector.

“More people are reaching old-age than ever before. Many foreigners are coming to live and work here to contribute to our economic development miracle. Our role is to make sure we can improve and ensure that people live in a secure society. This requires all government departments to work together in pursuit of this vital mission.''

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