Direct Billing and Insurance

Direct billing is a common feature of many international health insurance plans in Dubai. Plans with it will see the hospital bill the insurer directly for any medical costs as long as they accept direct billing (your insurance documentation should have a list of providers who support this form of billing). This leaves you to focus on getting better instead of worrying about paying your bill. Of course, it is worth noting here that the insurer will only cover you up to your plan's coverage limit. If you go beyond it, you will be required to pay the remaining balance.  

Premium

Your premium is the fee you pay to your insurance company for your medical insurance plan. Premiums can be paid monthly, quarterly, or annually, but are typically paid annually as some insurers will attach a small fee for more regular payments.

Co-insurance

Some aspects of your coverage may be able to be co-insured. This means that you will share the cost of any treatment with your insurer. Treatments will be covered by your insurer up to a predetermined percentage of the total costs, and you will pay the remaining fee.

Excess/deductible

Your deductible is a pre-determined amount that you will have to pay for any medical treatments before the insurance company will start covering your costs. Deductible amounts will differ depending on your plan and requirements, and they are not compulsory, but choosing a high deductible is beneficial as this will lower your premium costs. Deductibles can be applied per plan, per individual treatment, or per year.

If you opt for a health insurance plan without direct billing, then you will likely be required to pay for your hospital bills and doctors fees up front. Once you have paid for treatment, you can then submit a claim to the insurer to reimburse you for the fees. This method of payment can be more costly and stressful for the patient, especially if your medical bills are large sums and if it will take time for your insurer to process your claims.

If you are looking to learn more about direct billing, or for a plan that includes it, contact us today for a free quote.