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Health Insurance

What do the different types of health insurance mean?

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In some parts of the UAE, such as Abu Dhabi and Dubai, it is a legal requirement for residents to have health insurance. For the majority of people, health insurance is acquired through an employer, however, that is not always the case. So, here is a guide to the different levels and types of health insurance providers available:

What levels of health insurance are there?

There are three levels of health insurance to consider when comparing policies: basic, medium and comprehensive. There are usually price differences between the different levels, but this is because they offer different amounts of cover for healthcare-related costs. In general, the more you pay, the more cover you have.

A basic health insurance policy will cover you for treatment and related costs if you’re an inpatient in a hospital. A medium-level policy includes everything covered at a basic level, as well as outpatient care on top of that. A comprehensive insurance policy offers the highest level of cover. These types of policies include everything covered at a basic or medium level, plus cover for mental health and physiotherapy. Weighing up the amount of cover you need and how much you can afford to pay is a key way of choosing the right health insurance policy for you.

What types of health insurance policy are there?

As well as a range of levels, there are a variety of health insurance policies intended to cover different people. This means you can choose between an individual, joint, family or child policy, depending on your situation and needs. For example, taking out a joint policy to cover a couple will likely be better value for money compared to taking out two individual policies. Similarly, if you’re planning on expanding your family with a child, you may want to consider a family or child health insurance policy to prepare for their arrival.

If you’d like to know more about the different types of health cover available in the UAE, contact us today. A member of our team will be happy to help you compare policies and find the best medical insurance for parents.

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Travel Insurance

Best places to visit near the UAE

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Are you looking for some weekend breaks to take from the UAE? The small nation benefits from excellent air links to other countries in the Middle East and beyond. Here are some easy and inexpensive weekend breaks that you can take from Abu Dhabi or Dubai. Before booking, remember to purchase worldwide travel insurance – you can use our comparison tool to find the best deal for your short break.

Qatar

Qatar is a tiny nation to the north-west of the UAE. It’s only a short flight, so you can easily visit just for a day or two. Qatar is one of the richest nations on the planet, so it’s a great place to visit for luxury travellers. Some of the best things to do in Doha, its capital, include visits to the Katara Cultural Village, the Barzan Towers, and a trip out of the city to see the desert.

Oman

Oman neighbours the UAE and can be reached by air or road. Muscat is a thriving city that is very welcoming to tourists, and the surrounding nature of Oman is absolutely epic. Don’t miss the many Wadis, including Wadi Shab, the Omani Desert, and the epic Sultan Qaboos Mosque.

Istanbul

Turkey is a large country, but Istanbul is well connected to Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Istanbul sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia and is a deeply historic city, making it one of the best places in the world to explore. Don’t miss the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia, as well as views from the Galata Tower. Be sure to take a walk around Taksim, the new district of Istanbul, and try some delicious Turkish food!

Tbilisi

Tbilisi is a short flight from the UAE and is a popular tourist destination for travellers. It’s very authentic and is a great place to visit if you want to enjoy a completely different culture. The city is beautiful – make sure you take a cable car up to see the amazing views – and the Georgian countryside is marvellous too.

There are lots of places to visit near the UAE, but it is crucial that you compare holiday insurance whenever you go abroad – no matter for how short a time it is! Search our policies today to find the best deal for you.

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Health Insurance

Do you need health insurance when moving to Dubai?

For anyone moving to a new country, it is essential to know what the healthcare arrangements are before you arrive. In the case of the UAE, the situation is complicated by regulations that differ between emirates.

Do you need private health insurance in the UAE?

The short answer to this question is yes. Emirati nationals do not need to purchase private health insurance, but anyone moving to the UAE from abroad will need private health insurance. Under Emirati law, employers are required to provide basic health insurance to their workers. However, this cover will not extend to your family members and dependents.

What about Dubai?

All residents of Dubai are required to have some kind of private medical cover. If you are moving with your family, you will need to purchase insurance for them, unless your employer offers more generous insurance than they are legally required to.

What kind of healthcare system does Dubai have?

Healthcare in the UAE is a hybrid public-private system. The ratio of one to the other varies between the emirates. In the case of Dubai, the split is roughly 20% public and 80% private. Public healthcare is primarily for Emirati nationals, whose treatment is either free or low-cost. Public healthcare in Dubai does not extend to dental, eye, or ear care.

Expats can make use of Dubai’s public healthcare, but it is usually in their interests to use private care instead; especially as they are obliged to take out private health insurance. Private medical facilities in Dubai are also generally of a much higher standard than public facilities.

Is health insurance mandatory in Dubai?

Yes, major medical insurance is mandatory for all residents of Dubai, irrespective of whether they are currently employed or not. Any expat hoping to earn their residency visa will need to have private medical cover to qualify. There are also hefty fines levied against any resident without private medical coverage for every month they are uninsured. The monthly insurance premiums are considerably cheaper than these fines, so it is in every residents’ interests to acquire medical insurance.

If you are planning on moving to Dubai, you should be prepared to take out private medical insurance. While your employer must provide you with basic cover, this won’t extend to your dependents and will only cover the most basic treatments. Compare the best rates on insurance today.

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Health Insurance

Can I get tested for Covid-19 in UAE?

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If you’re worried about a persistent cough, breathing problems, high temperature, or can’t shake off a cold, it’s possible you’ve been infected by the new coronavirus. Individuals that have recently returned from overseas, and people from vulnerable groups need to be particularly careful. Although coronavirus testing is available for walk-in patients, drive through coronavirus test centres have also been established.

About the UAE drive through test centres

Drive through test centres are now available in Dubai Festival City and Abu Dhabi. Current test station locations include Al Qusais, Discovery Gardens, and Silicon Oasis. Further test stations are planned at International City and Al Warqa.

It’s not currently possible to check out all UAE citizens at this moment. Of course, if you do have the virus, it is important you get tested as soon as possible, so you need to take the following steps:

How to get tested for Covid-19 at the new UAE drive through centres

1. You’ll firstly need to complete the online health assessment tool to confirm you’re eligible for testing. At the moment the priority is to test the most vulnerable citizens, and people displaying symptoms within 14 days of return from overseas. The online chatbot walks you through the assessment, and is designed to pick up all indications of added vulnerability, such as hypertension or pregnancy. Your recent contact history will also be examined, so it’s important to be open about any contact you’ve had with other people already diagnosed with coronavirus.

2. The chatbot also provides detailed advice about action you should take, including quarantine or self isolation.

3. Your self assessment test will indicate whether you need to chat further with one of the available doctors. If this is the case, you will be forwarded for a tele-consultation and may also be given an appointment to attend your local drive through Covid-19 testing station.

4. If you are eligible for Covid-19 testing, simply arrive at the designated test station at the time of your appointment. You will be given a nasal swab by the nurse at the second checkpoint, and there is absolutely no need to leave your vehicle at all.

5. You will be advised of the results of your test within two or three days, and should self isolate until your Covid-19 test results are received

Your drive through Covid-19 test will cost Dh425 and this could possibly be covered by your existing health cover. We’re proud to offer all UAE residents the best guide on comparing health insurance, find out more about insurance in the UAE at Compare Insurance today!

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Categories
Health Insurance

A quick guide to health insurance in the UAE

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Although UAE healthcare is free for all citizens, expats working in the Emirates often struggle to meet medical costs, particularly dental charges; so much so that many expats prefer to fly back to their country of origin for any kind of dental treatment. What’s more, UAE citizens and expats alike find it difficult to access the specialist and high tech services available at Dubai Healthcare City without medical insurances. Although all employers are legally obliged to provide health insurances, the cover provided may not be adequate and does not cover family members and dependents.

If you’re considering taking out private medical insurance in the UAE, there are lots of different things to consider. First off, you’ll need to decide whether to take out a fully underwritten health insurance plan or opt for a moratorium plan.

What’s the difference between moratorium health cover and fully underwritten health insurance?

The main difference between the two policies is that fully underwritten health insurance requires you to provide your insurer with your entire medical history – this choice can work out cheaper over the long term and may offer far more medical insurance than a moratorium policy. Here in the UAE, a fully comprehensive insurance of this nature can be the best way for speedy access to more specialist, private healthcare.

With a moratorium policy, you simply need to complete a questionnaire, giving a limited amount of detail to your chosen insurer. This can be a much simpler way to insure your health, but it may not offer the extensive coverage you’d acquire with fully underwritten insurance. The choice between the two comes down to your budget and own health history.

Specialist health insurance

You can also opt for specialist medical insurance, which simply covers against certain treatments or in specific criteria. Examples include medical insurance for over 50s and medical insurance for specific conditions. This type of insurance can help you to compile the medical coverage you need, while also relying on any free services in your locality for any other medical conditions. One major benefit of specialist medical insurance is that it can help you skip the queues for a range of treatments and diagnostic tests, such as CT scans, knee or hip replacement surgery, and cataract surgery.

What does private health insurance cover?

You’ve probably already recognised that different private health insurance policies offer varying service models. You can rely on most policies to cover you for inpatient care at any time you need to overnight in a hospital setting. Although outpatient treatments also tend to be covered by most policies, the amounts that can be claimed back are very different as caps are often in place.

In addition, some insurance policies cover the costs of drugs that are not readily available locally, and may also provide some cover for psychiatric care. If you already have a pre-existing medical condition, your insurance premiums will be impacted, although it is still possible to source the policy you need.

Check out Compare Insurance now to discover the wide range of policies available in the UAE and worldwide.

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