Overview of Health Insurance in Dubai

Looking at Dubai

Located on the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf, Dubai is the largest and most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). As one of the world’s top expat destinations and international trading centers, around 80 percent of the population is made up of foreign nationals, many of whom are attracted to the city’s tax-free working conditions, high standard of living, and low crime rate. Dubai is also home to world-famous skyscrapers like the Burj Khalifa, iconic man-made islands, and malls, as well as stunning sandy beaches, making it one of the world’s few destinations where city life, beaches, and the desert are all within easy access.

With the goal of encouraging foreign investment, the Emirate continues to promote its free trade zones, that provides easier start-up processes, 100 percent ownership for all nationalities, and a waiver of corporate taxes. One key zone is Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC), which was launched in 2002 and governed by the Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA). Committed to offering advanced healthcare services, the DHCC is home to a community of over 130 clinical partners including Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Hospital and Mediclinic City Hospital.

In 2015, Dubai started phasing in mandatory health insurance for all residents. Like Abu Dhabi, all residents and foreign nationals, whether working in or visiting Dubai, are required by law to have a minimum level of Dubai health insurance coverage at all times. Now, virtually every individual in the Emirate is insured, leading to an increased demand for quality private healthcare. To meet growing demand, by 2020 the number of private hospitals in the Emirate will leap to 38, exceeding the number of public hospitals in the region.

Dubai health insurance

Pacific Prime Dubai offers a wide variety of medical insurance options. All of our Dubai health insurance plans are compliant with mandatory insurance requirements and can be further tailored to meet your budget and healthcare needs. Here are some of the most sought-after coverage items that our plans can include:

• Chronic conditions
• Maternity coverage
• Dental treatment
• Vision care
• Newborn cover
• Vision treatment
• Inpatient treatment
• Outpatient treatment
• Emergency evacuation
• Pre-existing conditions
• Vaccinations
• Alternative medicine
• Preventative care

The above are just some of the many options and benefits Pacific Prime UAE can offer. From plans that cover individuals and families, to corporate insurance policies that cover all employees, we utilize our longstanding partnerships with Dubai’s best insurers to offer a vast range of plan types suited to the needs of different customers.

What's more? Pacific Prime Dubai has also been named as 1 of the Top 6 Options for the Best Health Insurance in Dubai by Dubai's Best.

Individual insurance

Those looking to secure medical insurance in Dubai can choose from some of the best providers in the industry. Whether you’re looking for a basic Dubai individual insurance plan that meets the minimum coverage requirements, or a more comprehensive insurance solution that offers additional benefits like dental and vision insurance, Pacific Prime Dubai are here to match you with the most optimal plan for your needs.

We also offer a range of top-up health insurance plans for those who already have employer-provided medical insurance, but are looking to fill the coverage gaps in their existing policy. The location of coverage can also be tailored to meet your requirements; we provide both local and international health insurance plans. If you’re unsure what your best insurance solution might be, get in touch with Pacific Prime Dubai today.

Family insurance

If you have dependents living with you in Dubai, or are planning to start a family here, please note that it is a legal requirement to secure healthcare coverage for those that you sponsor, i.e. your spouse and children. The healthcare needs of children can be quite different from those of adults, which is why it’s important to get expert advice from an established broker like Pacific Prime Dubai before purchasing a family plan.

Our Dubai family insurance plans offer the best coverage protection for your little ones, as well as for you and your spouse. Benefits can include vaccination and preventative care, dental and vision treatment, and comprehensive newborn cover for those planning to welcome a new member to the family. To discuss your family’s coverage options, contact us today.

Corporate insurance

Mandatory insurance law in Dubai requires businesses of any size to secure health cover for all employees, including expat workers. From small startups to multinational corporations, Pacific Prime Dubai has almost two decades of experience advising Middle East corporate clients of virtually all sizes and industries; including oil and gas, education, professional services, and more. 

With an in-depth knowledge of local compliance requirements in Dubai, our group insurance and employee benefit plans come from Dubai Health Authority (DHA) authorized insurance companies. Best of all, we provide your employees and members with additional claims and administration support during the policy lifetime, and offer further premium negotiations at no extra cost vs the insurer. To learn more about the corporate insurance solutions we offer in Dubai, be sure to talk to one of our experts today.

Healthcare in Dubai

The health system in Dubai is governed by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), which is tasked with regulating and transforming Dubai into a leading healthcare destination. With the goal of providing sustainable healthcare to all nationals, foreign residents, and visitors, the DHA launched Insurance System for Advancing Healthcare in Dubai (ISAHD), an insurance reform that has made it mandatory for all residents in Dubai to have health insurance. An important thing to note here is that all employers in Dubai must arrange insurance coverage for their employees, but they are not legally obligated to secure cover for the dependents of staff.

First implemented in 2014, the mandatory insurance scheme has been phased in over three years: starting in October 2014, the first phase targeted companies with 1,000 or more staff, while the second wave of legislation in July 2015 affected medium sized companies with 100 or more employees. The third wave was rolled out in June 2016, requiring all small companies, individuals, their dependents, and private employees (including domestic helpers and drivers) to have mandatory insurance coverage. Due to the high influx of insurance applications, this initial deadline was extended twice, the final deadline being March 2017.

The DHA further specified that all plans must at least meet the minimum level of cover. In other words, all plans must at the very least feature the following:

• An annual claims limit of AED 150,000 (per person) on all claims
• Pre-existing and chronic conditions cover (this is subject to 6 month waiting period)
• Inpatient treatment cover (with a 20 percent excess and up to a maximum of AED 500 per visit)
• Outpatient cover (with a 20 percent excess)
• Maternity (All services covered with a 10 percent excess. Normal deliveries are covered up to a maximum of AED 7,000 for normal delivery, and medically necessary C-sections are covered up to AED 10,000)
• Medications (up to a maximum of AED 1,500)
• Essential vaccinations and inoculations for children and newborns
• Preventative care as stipulated by the DHA to initially include diabetes screening

Since the introduction of mandatory insurance in Dubai, demand for medical services has increased significantly. Visitors and residents can choose to seek care from two different sectors: public and private. All hospitals are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and well-trained medical staff.

Major public hospitals include Dubai, Rashid, Latifa, and Hatta hospital. Those looking for a world-class standard of care can choose from over 3,000 private medical facilities, which include private hospitals, specialized health centers, pharmacies, diagnostic centers and dental clinics. Some of the most popular hospitals in Dubai include American Hospital Dubai, Emirates Hospital, Belhoul European Hospital, City Hospital, and Zulekha Hospital.