Understanding Compulsory Dubai Insurance

Health insurance is compulsory in Dubai. It is crucial for both Emirati and foreign workers in Dubai to enrol in the compulsory health insurance scheme or get private health insurance coverage to avoid penalties.

Are you wondering about the health insurance requirements? Are you worried about the penalties? To avoid fines and maintain your insurance coverage, you’ll need to know how to navigate the requirements. 

This Pacific Prime Dubai article will go into length about compulsory Health Insurance in Dubai, the essential benefits plan, and the consequences of non-compliance. 

Compulsory Health Insurance

Under the Health Insurance Law of Dubai No. 11 (2013), individuals residing in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are obligated to possess a minimum level of health insurance coverage, which can be obtained through their employer or sponsor.

By implementing this mandate, individuals living in these regions will enjoy increased options regarding their health insurance. The expenses and extent of coverage for basic medical insurance will vary depending on the specific Emirate.

The Consequences of Not Having Medical Insurance

Residents who fail to secure health insurance face fines of up to Dh10,000. Moreover, the Dubai Health Authority states that non-compliant individuals will not have their visas renewed. Lastly, if they are employers, they will face fines and sanctions. 

Additionally, insurers who fail to upload policies, causing visa delays, may be fined up to Dh10,000. It is essential to be aware of the required health insurance laws to avoid these penalties and ensure compliance with the law.

What is the Essential Benefits Plan?

The Essential Benefits Plan (EBP) is the legal minimum level of health insurance coverage that Dubai residents must obtain. Individuals in Dubai who qualify for the EBP are those with a monthly salary below AED 4,000, including non-working dependents.

Although individuals earning above the specified threshold are not eligible for the plan, their medical insurance must still adhere to the same minimum standards. This program guarantees that everyone receives access to affordable and excellent healthcare services.

Is the EBP Required for My Dependents?

The necessity of the EBP for your dependents relies on whether or not they lack coverage, whether you employ a domestic helper, whether or not their employer has insured them beforehand, and whether or not they have been enrolled in a high coverage policy.

Your dependents require the EBP if:

• They lack insurance coverage (such as a spouse, children, parents, etc.).
• You employ domestic help who earn less than AED 4,000 per month.

Your dependents do not require the EBP if:

• Your employer has already insured them.
• You have enrolled them in a separate insurance policy that offers higher coverage.

Why is the Essential Benefits Plan Beneficial?

The Essential Benefits Plan (EBP) proves advantageous due to its standardized packages that provide essential benefits at affordable rates, ranging from AED 550 to 650 per year. The benefits comprise of coverage for common illnesses, checkups, emergency treatments and healthcare needs. 

This option is particularly beneficial for expatriates who face difficulties affording health insurance for their dependents due to high premiums. It helps to reduce healthcare expenses related to:

• Common illnesses
• Regular check-ups
• Emergency treatments
• Routine healthcare needs

However, the EBP may not be suitable if you require a higher annual limit or additional medical coverage. Additionally, since the basic plan is only valid within the UAE, it may not be useful if you seek coverage for treatments outside the country.

Opting for an enhanced plan that includes coverage outside the UAE can cost up to 15,000 AED per year, rendering the benefits of the EBP plan irrelevant.

Who Requires Insurance Coverage?

It is necessary to ensure that your spouse, children, elderly parents, and domestic help are adequately insured. Please be aware that premiums for parents aged 65 or above are higher due to increased health risks, and married females between 18 and 45 years old may face higher premiums due to a greater likelihood of pregnancy.

If your housemaid, cook, driver, or other domestic help earns AED 4,000 or less per month, they must also be insured under the Essential Benefits Plan (EBP). If their monthly earnings exceed AED 4,000, the employer can select any scheme provided by other insurers

Please note that employers are not permitted by law to reduce an employee’s salary or deduct the premium cost from their pay in order to make them eligible for the EBP plan.

Applying for the EBP Scheme

Expats can apply for the Essential Benefits Plan (EBP) scheme from the Dubai National Insurance website, and submit a copy of the sponsor’s passport with residence visa, the insured person’s residence visa, passport, and Emirates ID. 

In case the visa and Emirates ID are not available, an E-visa and Emirates ID application form should be submitted. Additionally, a duly filled and signed Medical Application Form is required. 

For more convenient perusal, a list of required documents is shown below: 

• Sponsor’s passport copy with residence Visa

• Insured person’s Residence Visa, Passport and Emirates ID

• If visa and Emirates ID are not available: E-visa and Emirates ID Application form to be submitted

• Medical Application Form* duly filled and signed

Range of Annual Premiums

Currently, premium packages for EBP range from AED 650 to AED 725 per year for employees. Each year, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) announces the premium ranges that participating insurance providers must adhere to for the EBP.

Regarding dependents, the annual premium ranges are as follows: AED 650 for the general non-working group (aged 0-65), AED 1,600 for non-working married females (aged 18-45), and AED 2,500 for elderly parents. Similarly, the annual premium for general domestic help is AED 650.

Medical Coverage Provided by the EBP

The Essential Benefits Plan (EBP) offers coverage for various medical services, including inpatient and non-emergency treatments, ambulance and emergency healthcare, and maternity benefits. 

Here is a breakdown of the coverage provided:

1. Inpatient and non-emergency medical treatments: This includes diagnoses, surgeries, and tests, with the insured responsible for 20% of the cost. The expenses should not exceed AED 500 per visit or AED 1,000 per year.
2. Outpatient treatment: This covers tests and diagnoses, with the insured responsible for 20% of the cost.
3. Physiotherapy sessions, radiology, and lab tests: These are covered up to a maximum of six times per year, with the insured responsible for 20% of the cost.
4. Medicines: Coverage for medicines is provided up to AED 1,500, with the insured responsible for 30% of the cost.
5. Ambulance and emergency healthcare: These services are covered in case of emergencies.
6. Maternity benefits: Services before, during, and after delivery are covered, including antenatal blood tests, ultrasounds, pre-delivery visits, normal delivery, and medically necessary cesarean. The insured is responsible for 10% of the cost.
7. Coverage for newborns: The newborn baby is covered for 30 days after birth for medical requirements, such as neonatal tests and screening, under the mother’s insurance.
8. Pre-existing and chronic conditions: Any pre-existing or chronic conditions must be disclosed during the insurance application process. Complete coverage for these conditions is provided after a waiting period of six months. 

Choosing an Insurance Provider

There are a total of 14 insurers that participate in the Dubai Health Authority‘s (DHA) compulsory Essential Benefits Plan (EBP) health scheme. When deciding on an insurer in Dubai, you have the option to select from the following local providers:

• Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company (Adnic)
• Al Saqr National Insurance Company
• America Life Insurance Company
• AlBuhaira National Insurance Company
• Cigna Insurance Middle East
• Dubai Insurance company
• Dubai National Insurance Company
• Islamic Arab Insurance Co.
• National General Insurance Company
• Noor Takaful
• Qatar Insurance Company
• Orient Insurance Company
• Sukoon
• Union Insurance Company

Dubai’s compulsory health insurance plans, i.e., the EBP in the UAE, offer basic coverage options. However, it’s important to note that rules and regulations may vary slightly among different insurers. Therefore, it is crucial to carefully review the terms and conditions of each policy before making a purchase decision.

Seek Assistance from Pacific Prime Dubai

Ensure that you obtain the appropriate insurance plan tailored to your specific requirements by seeking the assistance of a reputable broker, such as Pacific Prime Dubai. With over two decades of experience, our team of expert advisors is available to provide support and guidance.

Whether you are in need of family insurance, individual medical insurance in Dubai, or any other type of insurance, we conduct plan comparisons and simplify the process of selecting the most suitable option within your budget. 

Contact us today for impartial advice or to receive a quote without any obligations.

FAQ

What is the Essential Benefits Plan (EBP)?

The Essential Benefits Plan (EBP) is the legal minimum level of health insurance coverage that Dubai residents must obtain. It provides standardized packages of essential benefits at affordable rates.

Who requires insurance coverage under the EBP?

It is necessary to ensure that your spouse, children, elderly parents, and domestic help are adequately insured.

What services are covered by the EBP?

The EBP offers coverage for inpatient and non-emergency treatments, outpatient treatment, physiotherapy, medicines, ambulance and emergency healthcare, maternity benefits, coverage for newborns, and coverage for pre-existing and chronic conditions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is crucial for both Emiratis and foreign workers in Dubai to enroll in the compulsory health insurance scheme and meet the Dubai health insurance legal requirements. Failing to secure health insurance coverage can result in fines of up to Dh10,000.

Non-compliant individuals may also face visa renewal complications, and employers could face fines and sanctions. The Essential Benefits Plan (EBP) provides standardized packages of essential benefits at affordable rates, ensuring access to healthcare services for all residents. 

To avoid penalties and maintain insurance coverage, contact a broker and carefully review the terms and conditions of each policy offered by participating insurers.

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Serena

Senior Content Creator at Pacific Prime United Arab Emirates

Serena Fung is a Senior Content Creator at Pacific Prime, a global insurance brokerage and employee specialist serving over 1.5 million clients in 15 offices across the world. With 2+ years of experience writing about the subject, she aims to demystify the world of insurance for readers with the latest updates, guides and articles on the blog.

Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).

Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.

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