4 Top Medical Insurance Companies in Dubai, UAE: Make A Sensible Health Investment!

Dubai Health Insurance Law No. 11 of 2013 mandates it legally for all Dubai residents (Emiratis and Expats) to have the basic health coverage regulated by the Dubai Health Authority. 

Everyone living in Dubai has to have medical insurance. If not, then the VISA renewal or even VISA issuance for an expat will be a distant dream. Employers are bound to provide health insurance for their employees. 

Expats sponsoring their family members and domestic workers also are bound to offer medical insurance support to them (family and maids). Remember, the law is applicable also to you as a freelancer or any sort of self-sponsored resident or expat in Dubai. 

The Essential Benefit Plan (formulated under this legal medical insurance mandate) has an annual coverage limit of AED 150,000 per person. On an overall basis, the plan includes basic Inpatient/Outpatient care, Pre-existing/Chronic care, and Emergency and Maternity care coverages. 10-20% Co-pays facilities are also provided. 

The system called ISAHD (Insurance System for Advancing Healthcare in Dubai) is formulated and implemented by the Dubai Government through DHA for ensuring even the people with lower income and labor sections coming here for work all enjoy basic rights to good medical help. And, we salute the Government for it! 

Cigna Healthcare 

Cigna Healthcare offers flexible medical insurance plans and is regarded as one of the world’s leading international health insurers. It has an extensive global network of renowned doctors, clinics, and hospitals. 

Their customizable plans often are successful in addressing the specific medical support requirements of the customers. 

As one of the top medical insurance companies in Dubai, UAE that offers international health insurance coverage, their digital access and 24/7 multilingual support with direct billing facilities are noteworthy. 

Most Suitable For: People looking for a broad network of flexible and comprehensive hospital coverages.

Highlights

• For Dubai Residents, you have Cigna Healthguard℠, which has a Regional Plan, an International Plan (no USA), and an International Plus Plan (USA is optional). Additional coverage for Vision and Dental care is possible via optional modules.
• Annual max. Benefit allowed for Regional plan Dubai resident customers is AED 2.75 million, and that for International Plan customers is AED 7.35 million. International Plus Plan members has no upper cap limit and can access infinite overall annual benefits.
• International professionals and their families living in Dubai can access global healthcare coverage via Silver, Gold, and Platinum Plans. Dental and Vision outpatient care can be included through options.
• The international residents can expect to enjoy a max. annual benefit of $1,000,000 (Silver holders), $2,000,000 (Gold holders), and unlimited overall annual benefits for Platinum holders.
• Cigna global medical plans are portable, which means if you ever relocate outside the UAE, the plan continues benefitting your family and you. It has tie up with over 200 facilities worldwide.
• Dedicated nurse expenses are covered for complicated health conditions.
• Gold and Platinum holders (expats) only have maternity medical coverage allowances. Typically you need to wait for 12 months to claim maternity allowances. 

IMG Global Medical 

International Medical Group (IMG) is a top medical insurance company in Dubai, UAE, offering global health insurance plans suitable for foreigners in Dubai. It provides worldwide coverage that is attuned to the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). 

Customization of medical insurance plans, multiple tiers, and affordability make them stand out. Their Global Medical Insurance plan is available with different plan tiers and benefits that support nationalities living outside their country for a year or more. 

They give you the scope to have a greater freedom of choosing amongst a wider network of global doctors and clinics. 

Direct billing for expats to receive treatment inside and outside the UAE shouldn’t be an issue with IMG. They collaborate with brokers in Dubai. The brokers can arrange direct billing with local network hospitals and clinics. It helps the Expats whereby they need not pay out of their pocket for treatment and wait for reimbursement. 

Most Suitable For: Younger clients and those expats looking for budget-friendly international medical insurance coverage. 

Highlights

• The maximum coverage limit for Global Insurance for Dubai residents and expats depends on the plan tier. For Bronze, it is $1,000,000. For Silver and Gold, it is $5,000,000. And for Platinum, it is $8,000,000.
• In case of Hospitalization (including the boarding), it is $600 per day for a maximum of 240 days.
• Only Platinum medical insurance plan holders receive Newborn Care coverage for the first month of the baby’s age.
• Maternity care coverage is available also only for Platinum holders after a 10-month waiting period. The maximum upper cap is $50,000.
• You have 24/7 access to global healthcare and also can arrange an evacuation by coordinating your return to your homecountry (to receive medical help at a facility near your home) in case of a health emergency situation. 

Dubai National Insurance

One of the best medical insurance providers in UAE, Dubai National Insurance offers a broad range of customized Individual and Family insurance products that come with an “A” rating from global Re-Insurers. Their geographical coverage includes all the emirates. The company offers Essential Benefit Plans (EBP) and Worldwide Plans (excluding USA & Canada). For the Northern Emirates (Not Dubai), it has recently launched Workers Health Insurance Plans and Health Insurance Plans Northern Emirates. Direct billing access is available. EBP costs AED 805 plus VAT/Taxes per year for Dubai Visa holders.

Cover limit: The company has plans with an annual coverage limit of AED 150,000. High-tier corporate plans can be customized to offer more, surpassing the standard limit. 

Benefits covered highlights 

• Medical emergency situations across all the emirates. 
• Non-emergency cases for Dubai and the Northern Emirates only. 
• Clinical-based Outpatient treatments. 
• 80% of actual cost. 100% after applicable co-pay. 
• A waiting period of 6 months for Pre-existing & Chronic Conditions is there is no evidence of continuity of coverage. 
•  30% co-pay for prescribed pharmacies
• Maternity benefit up to AED 10,000 for normal delivery, C-Sections, and medical complications leading to abortions. 
• 20% coinsurance for Hearing and Vision aids. 
• Mental health, Dental health, and Repatriation cases are covered up to a certain limit. 

What is not covered?

• Dental prostheses and Orthodontic treatments. 
• Medically insignificant healthcare services. 
• Cosmetic healthcare and alternative treatment costs. 
• Weight control programs and surgeries. 
• Infertility-related concerns 
• Any treatment cost performed by Unauthorized Helathcare Service Provides. 

Sukoon Insurance

One of the best medical insurance companies in UAE with headquarters in Dubai. Formerly called Oman Insurance Company, it has stood the test of time, offering a range of DHA-compliant medical insurance plans. It claims to offer the most comprehensive and affordable medical plans in the UAE under the HealthPlus policy. The starting cost of Medical plans of Sukoon cannot be correctly mentioned, as they are highly personalized, but some sources claim their Plans start from AED 635 plus VAT/Taxes per year.

Cover limit: The company has plans from a cover limit of AED 150,000 to AED 5,000,000.

Benefits covered highlights 

• Emergency medical treatment, including Ambulance Services for the residents and expats staying across all the emirates of the UAE. 
• 30% co-insurance scope for Pharmacy is available. 
• Pre-existing and Chronic conditions are covered with a waiting period of 6 months. 
• It covers Maternity Expenses for Normal Delivery up to AED 10,000. C-sections and Abortions for Maternity Complications coverages up to AED 10,000. Emergency maternity complication coverage limit is AED 150,000 (same as the annual limit). 

What is not covered?

• All treatment options suggested by alternative medicine (homeopathy, naturopathy).
• Hearing/Vision/Dental/Orthodontic tests and devices. 
• Mental issues
• Miscellaneous healthcare expenses that are not medically necessary. 

1. Basic employer-provided coverage plans are available

In Dubai employers mandatorily arrange for medical insurance for the employees (including housemaids and laborers). Similarly, professionals or international businesspersons here (including the residents) are mandated to get medical insurance for their dependents (spouse, children, and parents). These have limited offerings that are provided by the employers. 

2. Assess Your and Family’s Medical Needs

Do you travel frequently and stay outside Dubai for a longer time? International medical insurance plans with more worldwide or across-the-UAE coverage are what you need to browse for.

Medical insurance plans that offer more support for chronic diseases are your picks if your family includes elderly members because sooner or later, it will help you bear the medical expenses more comfortably, as old people are prone to such health concerns. 

If you are doing family planning, scrutinize the maternity coverage aspects more sincerely and opt for the ones that best suit your demands. Also, if you have little children, then go for the medical plans that have strong pediatric support and the Vision/Hearing options available. 

3. DHA Compliance is Mandatory

The essential benefit plans and others must meet the Dubai Health Authority requirements mandatorily. The insurer or the insurance company you are selecting must be on the DHA-approved participating provider list. If not, remember that you cannot even renew your Dubai VISA. Medical insurance is mandatory, and so is the one that abides by DHA in Dubai.

4. Coverage scopes and limitations

Not all insurance companies you are opting for to do your medical insurance will offer everything that aligns with your family’s health support needs. Decide on how good their network of doctors and clinics is. Inquire about their geographical coverage, like whether it includes Dubai or all the emirates and beyond or not. 

Also assess carefully what all the emergency situations are and what Inpatient/Outpatient healthcare facilities the medical insurance plan proposes to cover. 

For families planning to welcome a new baby, focusing on the waiting period and how comfortable the couple is for the period specified, along with the monetary coverage limits, is also important to consider under this factor. 

Last but never the least, go through their chronic and pre-existing condition coverage limits. 

5. Optional Modules included

Some medical insurance plans might not offer much help for Dental, Hearing, Vision, and other general wellness medical concerns. Assess your needs and preferences first, then decide if you are ok if these are not covered or if you need a medical insurance plan that offers these concerns as optionals or not.

6. The Credibility and Reliability of the Insurance Provider

Thoroughly check the official website of the insurance company. Whether or not it is amongst the top 10 medical insurance companies in Dubai, UAE (the basic idea is if it is a reputed insurer or not), will be clear to you as you go through the different service and facility sections properly. Besides it, check the reviews of the clients.

While going through their website and reviews, pay attention to how digitally smart they are, as it is a crucial point. Their digital accessibility will allow you to claim your coverages on the go if ever needed. How are their telemedicine services and teledoctor network, and do they have smart apps with other electronic facilities? Find answers to these. 

They must be, at any cost, accessible 24/7 and their customer support with claim service has to be quick and smooth. Else, you will be in more trouble when you already are in trouble with medical hassles. 

Summing up

Our blog on the top medical insurance companies in Dubai, UAE gives you a fair idea regarding a few international and local-based medical insurance companies that people in Dubai can consider. Plus, you also know now how to find yourself an insurer that can best satisfy your medical coverage needs. 

Take care of yourself, your family, and your employees for living a beautiful life where all are valued and are given importance unbiasedly!