Dubai is known for its excellent quality of healthcare services. However, healthcare costs are skyrocketing everywhere, and Dubai is no exception. Whether you are a UAE citizen or an expat worker, and whether you rely on public hospitals or private clinics, health insurance is a must-have to minimize your out-of-pocket expenses in the event of medical emergencies.

We at Seguro Insurance have helped thousands of individuals and families obtain the best health insurance in the UAE for years. We have also helped business owners secure best-in-class group health insurance in Dubai for their employees. In this blog, our health Insurance experts share with you the top 5 things you must know about getting health insurance in Dubai.

Let’s hit the ground running!

1 Health Insurance is Mandatory in Dubai

Since 2014, the Dubai Health Authority(DHA) has mandated health insurance to be compulsorily taken by all citizens as well as anyone residing here on a residential visa. Furthermore, foreigners who need a visa to enter the UAE also need to avail of travel health insurance, even if they are visiting Dubai for only a short time.

Having valid health insurance in Dubai is therefore not a luxury anymore, but a necessity, without which you may have to face legal consequences.

For UAE citizens living in Dubai, many public health insurance programs like Enaya, the Essential Benefits Plan(EBP), and SAADA are available to them. However, these may not always provide you with the complete health coverage that you need.

2 Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance May Not Cover Everything

Dubai health insurance laws mandate that all employers must provide health insurance for their employees, the cost of which must be fully borne by the employer. However, different employers offer different kinds of health insurance benefits to their employees. This is especially true for expat workers, for whom the insured health facilities may not be fully free but only discounted to some extent.

Furthermore, employer-sponsored health insurance may not fully cover the healthcare needs of your family members who are dependent on you. Most employers usually opt for a basic group health insurance scheme for their employees which may not include all the pre-existing conditions of the employees.

Hence, our Dubai health insurance experts recommend that before you buy health insurance in Dubai, first assess your needs carefully and see which of them are already covered by your employee health Insurance. You can then opt for the right health insurance policy that gives you the additional coverage that you need for yourself and your family members. 

3 Islamic Insurance (Takaful Insurance) is Also Available in Dubai

UAE citizens who belong to the Islam religion and reside in Dubai can also avail of Islamic Insurance or Takaful Insurance. It is a kind of insurance scheme where eligible members of the Muslim community collectively contribute to the insurance needs of one another as a group. It covers several insurance types, including health insurance, which an individual can obtain if they meet the eligibility criteria.

4 Things to Consider Before Buying Health Insurance in Dubai

As a Dubai resident, it is crucial to consider the following aspects carefully before you buy a health insurance policy:

• Adequate coverage: Make sure that your Dubai health insurance policy gives you sufficient coverage to protect you from the key health risks that you are most susceptible to. Your health risk will be determined by parameters like your age, gender, lifestyle, occupation, location, and so on.
• Pre-existing conditions: If you have any pre-existing conditions, such as a chronic disease, reveal the same to your health insurance company in Dubai. Make sure that you get a policy that gives you proper coverage for the same.
• Preventive healthcare: Many health insurance companies now provide insurance policies for preventive care as well, not just for hospitalization and treatment. To keep your health fully protected, look for health insurance options that provide preventive care coverage.
• Family coverage: Instead of getting separate health Insurance for each family member, you can also obtain a common health insurance policy for the entire family. This way, you can save on premiums as well as on the time taken to renew and maintain health insurance.

5 Your Health Insurance Premium Needs to be Optimized

Last but not least, negotiate a good deal with your health insurance company in Dubai so that the premium of your health insurance policy lies within your budget. This way, financial viability will never be a problem. By purchasing a health Insurance policy well within your means, there will be fewer chances of the policy lapsing due to non-payment of premium.

Health insurance is a highly technical subject matter and many of us are not aware of the right approach to use when negotiating with an insurance company. It is also often difficult to judge which health insurance policy is the best for us. Luckily, insurance brokers in Dubai can come to our rescue.

By hiring a reputed, trusted, and experienced insurance broker in Dubai like Seguro Insurance, you can have complete peace of mind throughout your journey of health insurance. The best thing is that the role of a broker does not end once you purchase the policy. Instead, it extends well into the future. In fact, full-service insurance brokers in Dubai like Seguro Insurance even help you with professional assistance for claims handling and policy renewals.

If you are looking for the right health insurance policy in Dubai for you and your family, hiring an insurance brokerage company like Seguro Insurance is the best way to go ahead. Your health is your biggest priority, and insuring it optimally is a critical step in that direction.

Looking for more advice on health Insurance in Dubai ? Get in touch with us here, or visit the Seguro Insurance Website to know more.