Health insurance premiums in the northern emirates begin at just Dh350 per person, approximately half the price of comparable plans in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as reported by industry experts.
From January 1, 2025, health insurance will be obligatory across the UAE. As the implementation date nears, the demand for health insurance has escalated in the northern emirates, largely due to the significantly lower premiums available in these regions. In contrast, prices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi range from Dh650 to Dh900, respectively. This notable cost disparity is attracting heightened attention as businesses and sponsors gear up to comply with the new mandate.
Currently, it is mandatory for companies to offer health insurance to their employees in Abu Dhabi and Dubai; this requirement will extend to the northern regions starting next year. Industry insiders reveal that insurers often use existing plans from Dubai as a benchmark for the northern areas. The coverage provided to residents in these regions closely mirrors that of Dubai, encompassing essential health benefits such as inpatient, outpatient, maternity, and emergency services, with additional options for more extensive coverage.
Avinash Babur, CEO of Insurancemarket.ae, highlighted that while not all insurance companies have fully rolled out specific packages for the northern areas, most are on the verge of doing so. Toshita Chauhan, business head for health and motor insurance at Policybazaar.ae, stated that basic coverage with lower premiums starts at an annual rate of Dh350.
However, Chauhan noted that insurers are currently offering enhanced health insurance products that resemble those available in Dubai. Babur added that unlike in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where the minimum level of coverage is dictated by local health authorities, there is no such regulation yet for the northern areas. "Insurers are presently extending the same benefits to visa holders in these areas as those available in Dubai. This approach may change once local regulations are finalized," he explained.
Moin ur Rehman, executive director of Unitrust Insurance Broker, mentioned that several companies have already introduced packages for the northern areas. "Packages designed for these regions are considerably cheaper compared to those in Dubai and Abu Dhabi," he affirmed.
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