Learn What Health Insurance Covers and How It Works Across the Emirates

The UAE is renowned for having one of the most advanced healthcare systems in the world. To access these top-tier medical facilities, having valid health insurance is essential.

However, health insurance laws differ across the emirates. For instance, it is mandatory for employers to provide health insurance to expat employees in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, while in other emirates, the requirement may vary. Understanding these regulations helps residents, employers, and sponsors remain compliant and avoid potential fines or penalties.

Quick Read

Health Insurance in Dubai:

• Mandatory for expats and must be provided by the employer.
• 'Enaya' – unified government health insurance system for nationals and government employees.
• 'Saada' – provides insurance coverage for UAE nationals at private healthcare providers and DHA centers.

Health Insurance in Abu Dhabi:

• Employers and sponsors must provide coverage for expats and their dependents.
• 'Thiqa': Government program offering UAE nationals access to public and private providers through the Daman network.

Health Insurance in the Northern Emirates:

• Sharjah: Government employees and their dependents receive coverage.
• Ajman: Government employees are provided with insurance coverage.
• In other emirates, healthcare regulations are managed by the Ministry of Health, and private employers are not legally required to offer coverage to employees or their dependents.

Health Insurance in Dubai

Under Dubai Health Insurance Law No. 11 of 2013, all Dubai residents must have valid health insurance that meets the minimum standards set by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA).

Employer Obligations

As per Article 10, Section 2 of the law:

• Employers are legally responsible for providing health insurance to their employees.
• The cost of the insurance must be fully borne by the employer; it cannot be deducted from the employee's salary.
• Sponsors (such as employees) must also provide coverage for their dependents, including spouse, children, and domestic staff, though employers are not obligated to do so.

The 'Enaya' Health Insurance Program

The Enaya program is a unified government insurance system that consolidates several public schemes, including Saada. It provides:

• Coverage for UAE nationals and their dependents residing in Dubai who are not covered under other government programs.
• Insurance for government employees and their families (spouse and up to three children under 21 years).

Services under Enaya are managed through Neuron and Almadallah.

The 'Saada' Program

The Saada program offers UAE nationals access to an extensive network of both private and public healthcare providers. Nationals who are not covered by any other government health scheme are eligible for this program.

Health Insurance in Abu Dhabi

Healthcare in Abu Dhabi is regulated by the Department of Health (DOH), which enforces mandatory health insurance coverage for expatriates.

Employer and Sponsor Responsibilities

• Employers must provide health insurance for their employees.
• They are also required to pay 50% of the cost for dependents (spouse and up to three children under 18 years), while the remaining cost must be covered by the employee or sponsor.
• All health insurance plans must comply with the minimum standards set under the Abu Dhabi Basic Plan, administered by The National Health Insurance Company (Daman).

The 'Thiqa' Program for UAE Nationals

UAE nationals in Abu Dhabi are covered under the Thiqa program, which offers comprehensive coverage across both public and private healthcare networks through Daman.

Eligibility criteria include:

• UAE nationality and residency in Abu Dhabi.
• Age between 18–75 years.
• Completion of the Weqaya health screening to assess cardiovascular health risks before receiving the Thiqa card.

Health Insurance in the Northern Emirates

Health insurance regulations in the Northern Emirates differ from those in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

• In Sharjah, the Sharjah Health Authority's Department of Health Insurance provides coverage for all UAE nationals and government employees, along with their dependents. Private employers, however, are not legally required to provide insurance for expats.
• In Ajman, government employees receive health coverage, but private employers are not obligated to provide insurance.
• For the remaining Northern Emirates, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) oversees healthcare regulation, and no legal mandate requires employers to offer health insurance to expats or their dependents.

Conclusion

Having health insurance in the UAE is essential to access the country's world-class healthcare services. It is a legal requirement in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and failure to comply can result in fines, AED 500 per month in Dubai and AED 300 per month in Abu Dhabi.

For expats and employers, understanding these laws and choosing the right insurance plan is key to staying compliant. To simplify the process, it's best to consult with a licensed insurance broker who can guide you in selecting the most suitable plan for your needs and budget.