The Peculiarities of Healthcare System and Insurance in UAE

Medical insurance may or may not be compulsory, and packages also vary greatly. It all depends on the emirate you live in and the company you work for. For example, in Dubai, the employer is required to provide insurance to each employee at least at the level of minimum insurance plan, fixed by law. There is a government health insurance program in Abu Dhabi called "Thiqa". This program covers all citizens of this emirate aged 18-75 years. The program provides access not only to the public, but also to private health facilities that are part of the Daman network. There is a separate preventive program of the Weqaya Department of Health, according to which each applicant must first undergo screening, including fluorography and blood tests (AIDS, hepatitis, etc.). In case of unsatisfactory results, a residence visa will be denied.

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) strictly regulates the entire system, regularly working to improve the standard.

The main feature of medicine in the UAE is its innovative approach. The clinics feature the latest equipment, which is constantly updated. The UAE regularly invests large sums in healthcare infrastructure. Local clinics and hospitals of all types have the most comfortable conditions of stay. For the most part, they are more like hotels, creating optimal conditions for each visitor.

As for foreign residents, even with a compulsory paid health insurance system, which protects the local medical system from collapse, they have access to emergency care in case of need. All other medical procedures must be paid. The number of expats living in the UAE is 9 million.

To attract investment in the medical sector, and quality staff training, as well as introduce even more innovations into the local healthcare system, modern medical complexes have been created in the UAE, such as:

• Sheikh Khalifa Medical City
• Sheikh Shakhbout in Abu Dhabi
• Dubai Healthcare City in Dubai
• Sharjah Healthcare City in Sharjah.

As mentioned above, there are a number of UAE emirates where compulsory health insurance has been introduced for foreigners, and this requirement is enshrined in law. If insurance is not issued, then for each month of life a foreigner must pay a fine, the amount of which is about 500 dirhams (136 usd). In addition, in the absence of health insurance, a UAE resident visa cannot be issued or extended.

As a rule, the employer pays for insurance for foreigners, but relatives must pay for it themselves. This rule applies in Dubai. But, for example, in Abu Dhabi you can include your husband or wife, as well as minor children, in your insurance. Entrepreneurs, the self-employed, and the unemployed must pay for insurance themselves.

Some of the most famous hospitals are:

• Al Zahra Hospital
• Canadian Specialist Hospital
• Saudi German Hospital
• Zulekha Hospital
• Iranian hospital

Most employers who hire expats for long-term cooperation also provide the insurance. There is a minimum health insurance policy (EBP) designed for Dubai residents who earn less than Dh4,000 ($1,100) as well as all dependents who do not have a source of income. This type of insurance was created to protect the most vulnerable segments of the population. A list of companies that are authorized to provide such insurance is approved by the DHA. All additional information and answers to your questions can be obtained from the Insurance System for Health Development in Dubai (ISAHD).

The minimal price for the most affordable private programs range from 650 dirhams (about $180) per year. In those companies where employees must pay for their own health insurance, the cost averages around AED 10,000 ($2,720) per year.

Along with government health insurance, expats in the UAE can take advantage of private insurance companies. Most of them offer a choice of several types of insurance programs that take into account the needs of one policyholder or the whole family. It all depends on the individual package and the required services. If we are talking about a working married woman, then her insurance should cover both pregnancy and childbirth. The minimum cost of childbirth in this country is $3 thousand, and a cesarean section is $5.5 thousand more. The insurance policy includes coverage for the first month of a child’s life, as well as 45 days of paid leave. Many working mothers accumulate vacation days so they can spend more time with their baby.

Annual insurance covers a minimum of medical services:

• diagnostic procedures
• urgent care
• laboratory tests
• surgical interventions
• hospital treatment
• physical therapy by prescription.

To get more, it is better to purchase an individual policy. An interesting feature is the fact that pharmacies are automated. Therefore, there are no pharmacists working in the pharmacy, only salespeople. After the doctor has written a prescription, the system receives the request, and the machine in the pharmacy gives the medicine to the seller using the insurance policy number. As for treatment, in local medical practice it is customary to avoid complex regimens when clearly necessary. Simple medications are often prescribed, such as to reduce fever during a cold without immune correctors or antibiotics.

EBP provides health insurance under the following conditions:

• If the cost of medical care does not exceed 500 dirhams per visit, the insured person only needs to pay 20%, and the insurance company covers the remaining costs.
• More than 70% of drug costs are reimbursed by insurance, but this rule applies provided that the amount for the year is no more than 1,500 dirhams per person.
• The EBP policy does not cover the treatment of chronic pathologies during the first 6 months, but when this period ends, the amount of expenses will be reimbursed.

You can register for the UAE healthcare system on the Emirates Health Services website at any time. To do this, you only need an Emirates ID.

The medical card is issued for 1 year and can be renewed online one month before the end date. As for the cost of issuance, it depends on the age of the applicant:

• from 0 to 10 years - AED 110 (USD 30);
• from 10 to 18 years - AED 210 (USD 57);
• over 18 years - AED 310 (USD 85).

The process of obtaining a health card looks like this:

• Register for digital services if you are not already registered;
• Apply for the smart service in the printing center or through the electronic service for individual users;
• Pay the service fee;
• Wait for your application to be reviewed by a health registration officer;
• If your application is approved, you will be notified via SMS.

Obtaining an insurance policy is a mandatory procedure, and a medical card can also be obtained if desired. To have more opportunities to choose specialists and procedures, in some cases, you can issue both a policy and a card.

At the moment, the option of opening a medical card for both an adult and a child is available. Most parents choose to issue children's cards to receive vaccinations that are not included in the insurance policy.

The service is activated after the application is approved. Sometimes an application is not approved the first time, and then it can be changed by submitting it for review again. The cost of the service for expats is 500 dirhams, regardless of age.

It is important to check that your Emirates ID is valid at the time of applying for your medical card. Your medical card will be linked to your ID, but the validity of these documents is independent of each other.

The UAE is a country where you can access quality healthcare by following simple rules. There is a huge selection of insurance plans available across the country. The most basic insurance will cover visits to three public hospitals, but does not include dentistry or optics. And premium class insurance will cover the cost of visiting any medical facility in the UAE and many additional options. At the same time, both public and private clinics in the UAE guarantee a responsible approach and service.

Most expats choose private clinics, as it is easier to resolve any additional insurance issues here, since the medical staff speaks good English. There is no particular difference between private and public, and there are different levels of “prestige” in both. But in general, most hospitals in the UAE resemble a five-star hotel, only equipped with the latest medical technology, with a starry sky on the ceiling and a plasma TV.