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Home > International Plans > Global Health Insurance > Health Insurance Plans in Asia > Health Insurance in Dubai

Health Insurance in Dubai

United Arab Emirates Insurance for Visitors

Health Insurance Plans in Dubai for Expats and Foreigners

nurse with hijab working in DubaiDubai is one of the most popular expat destinations in the world. Just how popular, exactly? International citizens make up nearly 90% of Dubai’s population. In a city of about 9.2 million people, about 7.8 million residents are foreign-born.

But when it comes to healthcare, international citizens are no different from Emirati citizens. Everyone wants the best possible care for themselves and their families. If you are planning to join this massive international community and be an expat in Dubai, you will need to look into health insurance plans in Dubai before you go.

Dubai is one of the most popular expat destinations in the world. Just how popular, exactly? International citizens make up nearly 90% of Dubai’s population. In a city of about 9.2 million people, about 7.8 million residents are foreign-born.

But when it comes to healthcare, international citizens are no different from Emirati citizens. Everyone wants the best possible care for themselves and their families. If you are planning to join this massive international community and be an expat in Dubai, you will need to look into health insurance plans in Dubai before you go.

Best Dubai Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates

Expats in Dubai have several options for global health insurance. The two leading providers for foreigners in Dubai are William Russell and Now Health International.

William Russel has 4 tiers to their international health insurance plan, Bronze, Silver, SilverLite, and Gold. You have the option to add extra modules to maximize your benefits and get more coverage while you are living overseas.

Now Health's WorldCare Plan also has four levels of coverage, Essential, Advance, Excel and Apex. Each plan is built to suit particular needs. You can also attach optional benefits and add-on modules to your plan, including coverage in the US.

William Russell Health Insurance

William Russell Health Insurance

  • William Russell plans cover you internationally, both in the country you reside in and wherever you are traveling to (addons required for USA)
  • Their network includes 40,000 hospitals around the world.
  • Plans have comprehensive cancer coverage, including genome testing.
Plan Details
Get a Quote

Now Health International

Now Health WorldCare Plan‎

  • WorldCare is one of the most comprehensive, benefit-rich products in the international health insurance market today
  • Access to world-class health facilities worldwide
  • Talk to global member support 24/7/365
Plan Details | View Brochure
Plan Details
Get a Quote

Overview of the Dubai Health Insurance System

The United Arab Emirates enjoys an excellent standard of healthcare. The country's healthcare system is ranked 27th in the world by the World Health Organization. Dubai's ranking is one reason why Dubai remains among the top medical tourist destinations in the world, with people coming to receive complicated and delicate surgeries and cosmetic treatments from outstanding plastic surgeons.

Different regulatory authorities administer healthcare in the United Arab Emirates across the country. They include the Ministry of Health and Prevention, Health Authority-Abu Dhabi (HAAD), the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), and the Emirates Health Authority (EHA). There are an estimated 181 doctors per 100,000 residents, which is a good number compared to other countries' doctor-patient ratios. Also, Dubai itself is home to some of the country's top hospitals and clinics.

Health and Medical Advice for Expatriates in the UAE

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) oversees both public and private health care. Each of the four hospitals (Dubai, Rashid, Latifa, and Hatta) has an emergency department offering inpatient and outpatient services.

As an expat in Dubai or anywhere in the UAE, you can expect modern and accessible medical facilities throughout the region. Also, most staff members speak both Arabic and English, so you most likely will not have trouble with communication. The remaining thing that you have to be careful of is choosing the right oriental health insurance in Dubai that will fit your medical needs.

Read: Understanding Dubai's Healthcare System

Things You Need to Know When Considering Insurance

Public healthcare is free for Emirati nationals. However, medical care for foreigners is separate.

In 2014, the Dubai Health Authority implemented new legislation that requires all residents – foreigners and Emirati alike – to have medical insurance. Additionally, the legislation mandated that companies must provide private health insurance plans in Dubai for all their expat employees.

The Essentials Benefits Plan (or EBP) assists expats and international citizens on lower salaries by providing affordable primary medical care coverage. The EBP also includes coverage for children, domestic staff, and non-working residents.

Employers are free to choose an international health insurance plan other than the EBP for employees earning more than 4,000 dirhams a month. However, the plan they choose must be as good as, if not better than, the essential benefits offered through EBP. It is illegal for employers in Dubai to pay an employee a reduced salary to meet low-cost EBP coverage standards.

Although employers must provide medical insurance for their international employees, there are no requirements to cover their family or dependents. Some employers may provide family coverage, but many do not.

As an employee covered by the EBP, you can expect a co-payment of 20% of medical costs at each clinic and a hospital visit. Co-payments are capped at 1,000 dirhams a year.

Health Insurance in Dubai

How Expats in Dubai Can Qualify for Health Insurance

Qualifying for health insurance in Dubai is as simple as working there legally. Employers are required to provide basic health insurance to all expats and support those on lower salaries through the EBP system.

What You Need to Know About Processes

To access medical care in government-run facilities, such as Dubai Hospital, Rashid Hospital, Latifa Hospital, and other government clinics and hospitals, you will need a health card.

You can apply for a card from the DHA online or visit a medical center. You must provide the following documents upon application:

  • Emirates ID number
  • passport details
  • residence visa
  • two passport photos
  • copy of your tenancy contract
  • completed application card

The cost per adult card is 320 dirhams. Children under 10 can be covered for 120 dirhams.

United Arab Emirates Insurance for Visitors

Pros and Cons of Using the Local Health Insurance in Dubai

One of the most commonly heard phrases about Dubai health insurance is: “You get what you pay for.” A frequent complaint about employer-provided health insurance is that the level of included care is paltry at best.

For instance, dental and vision care are unavailable from most plans. As such, many employers offer a top-up premium for enhanced coverage available at a more comprehensive network of clinics and hospitals. One perk of enhanced coverage plans is that they omit most co-payments.

The standard of care in government-run facilities and locally operated private facilities is very high. However, many expats still opt to carry international private health insurance. Doing so means that more than 130 private health facilities in Dubai are at their service. Private health networks include some of the most exceptional hospitals globally, which resemble luxury hotels more than medical clinics. Wait times are also shorter at these facilities, nearly all staff are multilingual, and there’s very little bureaucracy compared to employer-sponsored private insurance networks.

Expats and international citizens living in Dubai often prefer to purchase a global medical plan that will cover them locally and worldwide, including for treatment at home. Consider one of the health insurance plans in Dubai listed below to provide you with the most comprehensive coverage, access to the best hospitals in the world, and the highest level of service and care.

How Routine Doctor Visits Work in Dubai

If you are using a DHA health card, routine doctor visits are simple. You usually check in at the clinic or hospital reception, submit your card and fill out some paperwork.

However, some treatments require pre-approval from the insurance network. Usually, the clinic can help you with this application process. If you have to pay a deductible, you will do so at the end of your visit.

Many Dubai residents opt to forgo seeing a general practitioner for most concerns and instead make appointments directly with specialists.

How to Find a Family Physician

Finding a doctor in Dubai is primarily done through online portals. If you are looking for a doctor, you can use the Dubai Healthcare City listings to search for providers. You can even make an appointment online through this portal. If you want to find a specialist, you can also use the portals provided by your private insurance company.

Additionally, the UAE government website provides a list of resources for finding a doctor. Some specialist doctors fly into the UAE only to perform specific procedures. If you are interested in searching for these specialists can view the UAE Ministry of Health website.

United Arab Emirates Insurance for Visitors

Prescription Medication in Dubai

Pharmacies are easy to find, and many are open 24 hours a day. However, many common medications are banned in Dubai. For instance, sleeping pills and anti-depressants are restricted to all but the most extreme cases. A letter from your home physician is necessary before your local provider renews your prescription.

Visitors to Dubai can bring three months’ worth of prescription drugs with them. Foreign residents can bring up to a year’s supply. However, all medication must be in its original prescription bottle. Furthermore, you must have a letter from your doctor to prove the authenticity of the drugs and that they are prescribed purely for personal consumption.

International Hospitals Accepting Insurance in Dubai

Below are some of the leading hospitals in Dubai. These are advanced medical facilities with excellent doctors and staff that deliver the best service in the region.

  • American Hospital
  • Dubai Community Health Centre
  • Dubai London Clinic
  • KIMS Medical Centre Dubai
  • Mideast Polyclinic Dubai
  • Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai
  • Neuro Spinal Hospital

Some Dubai health insurance plans require that you contact them before receiving treatment from a medical facility, so always contact your insurance plan in advance. If that is not possible, at least get in touch with them before being admitted. Your insurance company will be able to help you find the best hospitals to care for your specific needs while living in Dubai.

Best Compliant Health Insurance Plans for Dubai

We recommend getting international health insurance from the following providers. These insurers have a proven track record of providing quality care to expats and visitors traveling to Dubai and other countries.

William Russell Health Insurance

William Russell Health Insurance

  • William Russell plans cover you internationally, both in the country you reside in and wherever you are traveling to (addons required for USA)
  • Their network includes 40,000 hospitals around the world.
  • Plans have comprehensive cancer coverage, including genome testing.
Plan Details
Get a Quote

Now Health International

Now Health WorldCare Plan‎

  • WorldCare is one of the most comprehensive, benefit-rich products in the international health insurance market today
  • Access to world-class health facilities worldwide
  • Talk to global member support 24/7/365
Plan Details | View Brochure
Plan Details
Get a Quote

Related:

  • Expatriate Health Insurance
  • Best International Group Insurance Plans
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