How do you get health insurance in Dubai?

As the compulsion of having a health insurance coverage for those under a Dubai visa comes into effect, there are some common confusions and quarries that are seen making rounds. For the new residents of the city, the entire process of how to get a health insurance can be quite confusing. 

The plans come in different shapes and sizes, that include basic plans and premium plans, local and international, plans with a deductible or non-deductible, amongst others. Here is Luxhabitat's guide on how to get yourself insured in Dubai in collaboration with FISCO. 

How Does A Health Insurance Work?

There are a number of regional health insurance providers in Dubai that provide quality cover options. Let's discuss a few aspects that you will need to take into consideration in order to get the right medical coverage. 

Local, Regional Or International Cover?

While considering to buy a health insurance, the first and foremost aspect that a customer should decide on is whether he wants to be covered locally, regionally or internationally. For a frequent traveler, it is always advised to go for a coverage that covers his health internationally. But it should be kept in mind that the international coverages that the insurance providers in UAE have on offer, do not cover USA and Cannada on many occasions. For those who are looking for a local coverage, should keep in mind that sometimes they are only limited to an emirate, while there are others which provide coverage throughout the country. There are also plans that cover GCC countries or the Mena region. 

Coverage

Prior to buying a health insurance, a customer has to decide on the financial coverage that he is looking for. For a higher financial coverage, he would need to spend on a higher premium than the ones that offer a lower coverage. 

Also, the insurance provider should be informed regarding any pre-existing conditions like diabetes, that the customer is suffering from as well their age, in order to price them accordingly. 

Most of the insurance providers also provide dental and optical services, which comes at a higher premium. It should be kept in mind that even if optical coverage is included in a plan, only consultations and tests are covered and not frames. 

For those individuals who earn less than that of AED 4000, can avail the standard DHA plan, with starts from a nominal premium of around AED 550, a year. 

Hospitals And Clinics Covered

Expensive health insurance policies come with a wide network of hospitals and clinics that they cover. It should be kept in mind that in order to avail services from hospitals such as Mediclinic, he would have to pay for a more comprehensive plan, which comes at a higher premium. It is advised that a customer checks beforehand if his preferred medical facility is covered under his coverage and also if it offers a direct billing. 

Maternity Benefits

A customer, planning to start a family, should check with the insurance provider regarding the maternity benefits that they have on offer. A special inquiry should be made regarding the out-patient and in-patient medical services that are covered. While out-patient services cover prenatal checkups, ultrasound scans, lab tests among other, in-patient services include the actual delivery of the baby as well as any emergency medical procedures. The maximum coverage limit should be checked beforehand whether the baby is delivered normally or by C-section.