Effective January 1st: The UAE’s New Health Insurance Scheme for Private Sector and Domestic Employees
Set to take effect on January 1st is the UAE’s recently announced health insurance scheme for private sector and domestic employees, allowing complete coverage across all emirates. This will allow employees to access healthcare while keeping their finances safe from overwhelming medical expenses.
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This Pacific Prime Dubai article will discuss the upcoming health insurance scheme for all private sector and domestic workers in Dubai that will grant complete coverage across all emirates and equal access to healthcare without straining one’s finances.
Overview: The UAE’s Upcoming Health Insurance Scheme
On Monday, December 16th, 2024, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) announced a new basic health insurance scheme catered to private sector and domestic employees, which is set to take effect on January 1st, 2025.
This upcoming health insurance scheme will extend the already implemented coverage in Abu Dhabi and Dubai to the other emirates, such as Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah, ensuring all of the UAE gets comprehensive coverage and equal healthcare access.
This upcoming health insurance scheme was launched in collaboration with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) and the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) based on a Cabinet decision.
According to the MoHRE’s Undersecretary of Labor Market and Emiratisation, Khalil Al Khoori, the new health insurance scheme reflects the UAE’s commitment to “extending the comprehensive protection system to all workers” across the labor market, ensuring high quality healthcare access for private sector and domestic employees.
Al Khoori also stated that this new health insurance scheme will also have a notable positive impact on the “competitiveness of the country’s labor market”, which improves performance on “key indicators related to quality of life, protection of rights, and social and healthcare security”.
This new health insurance scheme is also expected to benefit both workers and employers by reducing the costs of “medical treatment and unpaid sick leaves” that uninsured employees need to take.
Eligibility
The new health insurance scheme is a requirement for issuing or renewing residency permits for employees. However, this mandate does not apply to employees with valid work permits issued prior to January 1st, 2024, to which this will become mandatory once their residency permits are due for a renewal.
Accessibility
This upcoming health insurance scheme is available through the DubaiCare Network where employers can purchase the package or any other insurance product from accredited health insurance providers, through various channels, or business service centers throughout the country.
Cost and Coverage
According to the MoHRE, the package will be offered at competitive prices with nominal treatment costs. The policy will be valid for two years, to which the second year premium can be refunded in the event of a visa cancellation.
The basic insurance package costs Dh 320/year with no waiting period for workers suffering from chronic illnesses and covers individuals aged one to 64 years old. Individuals over the age of 64 must fill out a medical disclosure form and attach recent medical reports for continued coverage.
The upcoming package will cover treatment fees with a 20% co-payment inpatient care. The insured will pay a maximum of Dh 500 per visit with an annual cap of Dh 1000, which includes medications. Other than that, the insurance company will completely cover all treatment expenses.
On the other hand, when it comes to outpatient care, the copayment will be 25% and the insured pays a maximum of Dh 100 per visit. No co-payment will be required for recurring follow-up visits for the same condition within seven days while medication co-payments are capped at 30% with an annual cap of Dh 1,500.
The network of providers will include seven hospitals along with 46 clinics and medical centers as well as 45 pharmacies. Employees’ dependents will also be entitled to the same benefits and pricing.
What Does This Mean for the UAE’s Healthcare System?
According to Dr. Mohammed Salim Al Olama, Undersecretary at the MoHAP, the new health insurance scheme enhances the “Riayati platform”, which is the integrated digital healthcare system that forms part of the National Unified Medical Record (NUMR) and Population Health Management projects.
Dr. Al Olama added, covering the private sector and domestic employees expands “our national health database, making it more “comprehensive and accurate”, which then enhances “our capabilities for health research, strategic planning, and more efficient resource allocation”.
Additionally, these efforts were also said to contribute towards the healthcare sector’s integrated development, boosting its “competitiveness and alignment with the UAE’s goals and priorities”.
Conclusion
With the upcoming health insurance scheme on the horizon, both private sector and domestic employees can not only ensure access to quality healthcare while keeping their finances safe, but they can access healthcare anywhere in the UAE without boundaries.
With the upcoming health insurance scheme for all private sector and domestic employees, it’s clear that access to healthcare is a basic human right. Fortunately, a health insurance plan is the key to healthcare access without straining your finances in case of a medical emergency.
While finding a suitable health insurance plan may seem daunting at first, the good news is it doesn’t always have to be a headache and we’re here to help. As an experienced health insurance broker, Pacific Prime Dubai can help you find a health insurance plan that aligns with your healthcare needs and budget.
Whether you’re a local citizen in Dubai or an expat, we will be more than happy to help you with completely impartial advice at no additional cost. If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us or, if you would like to compare quotes from different insurers, get a free quote with us.
He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts, Media & Communication major (concentration: Creative Content) from Mahidol University International College (MUIC). During the compulsory major elective period in the summer of 2021 and voluntarily during the summer of 2022, he also interned as a video and photo editor at Mbrella Films.
He has experience working as an English Content Writer at a real estate buying/renting/selling platform in Thonglor. There, he crafted company blog posts on a multitude of topics. Topics include market trends, legal issues and disputes in property businesses, financial guides, expat guides, home insurance, home decoration and maintenance, and weekly real estate news quick-recaps. Occasionally, as part of the blog-writing process, he would also translate existing Thai blogs to English.
In his free time, Guy enjoys doing scriptwriting and storytelling for comic strips, watching movies, and listening to music (particularly film scores).
- Effective January 1st: The UAE’s New Health Insurance Scheme for Private Sector and Domestic Employees - 19th December 2024
- A Guide to the Labor Market in Dubai for Expats - 26th September 2024
- Your Guide to the Updated 2024 UAE Labour Law - 11th July 2024
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