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Expats moving to Dubai will need to purchase health insurance with emergency care coverage. The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) requires all residents of Dubai to have health insurance with emergency care coverage that meets minimum DHA standards.
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Are you an expat interested in living in Dubai? Do you want to know the best way to protect yourself financially against medical emergencies? The insurance experts at Pacific Prime created this article as a guide on health insurance in Dubai for emergency care coverage.
We will share the reasons why expats should have emergency care coverage in Dubai, along with health insurance plan options. Keep reading, or click here for a free health insurance quote!
Why Expats Need Emergency Care Coverage in Dubai
Expats need emergency coverage in Dubai to protect themselves against out-of-pocket costs and to stay legally compliant to local laws. Securing emergency care coverage is a vital step to moving to Dubai and securing your residency visa.
Complies with Dubai’s Health Insurance Requirements
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) requires expats to have health insurance in order to reside in Dubai. Health insurance plans will need to meet the minimum standards set by the Dubai Health Authority, which include emergency medical treatment coverage benefits.
The Dubai Health Authority also requires compliant plans to have the following:
- An annual overall limit of at least AED 150,000 (around USD $40,800)
- Inpatient and outpatient care coverage
- Newborn care coverage
- Maternity services
- Coverage for pre-existing conditions
Without a health insurance plan, expats in Dubai could be at risk of their residence visa not being issued or renewed and their Emirates ID application being blocked.
Penalties for not following this law can also include fines of around AED 500 (around USD $136) per month per uninsured person.
Financially Protects Expats in Dubai
Emergency care coverage protects expats in Dubai by reducing or eliminating out-of-pocket costs from emergency medical treatment. Emergency services such as ambulance transport, diagnostics, surgeries, and hospital stays can be very expensive in Dubai.
With a health insurance plan that provides coverage for these services, expats will have to pay little to nothing out of pocket. This can help reduce the risk of medical debt for expats in Dubai.
What is Included in Emergency Care Coverage for Expats in Dubai
Emergency medical treatment coverage usually includes coverage for ambulance services, emergency hospital stays, and life-saving surgeries and other procedures. A more comprehensive list of coverage that is usually included is as follows:
- Ambulance transport
- Emergency room visits
- Stabilization services and post-emergency stabilization services
- Intensive care unit (ICU) costs
- Emergency surgeries
The exact coverage and benefit limit for emergency medical treatments will depend on the health insurance provider and the plan you choose.
How Expats Can Get Emergency Care Coverage in Dubai
Expats in Dubai can get emergency care coverage by securing a health insurance plan. They can receive health insurance through their Dubai employers, or they can purchase standalone individual or family health insurance policies from a private health insurance provider.
Private health insurance can be purchased from local or international companies. Depending on their income, some expats may qualify for the Essential Benefits Plan in Dubai. This is a health insurance plan designed for those needing basic coverage at a lower premium.
Employer-Provided Health Insurance in Dubai
Employers in Dubai are legally required to provide health insurance coverage to their employees. The Dubai Health Authority requires Dubai employers to provide health insurance coverage that meets the minimum standards set by the DHA.
The Dubai Health Authority does not require employers to provide health insurance to their employee’s dependents, though the dependent expats are required to have coverage in order to secure a visa. It is the employee’s responsibility to ensure their dependents have health insurance.
The Essential Benefits Plan in Dubai
The Essentials Benefits Plan (EBP) is a government-mandated health insurance plan regulated by the DHA. It was created to provide basic health coverage for residents earning no greater than AED 4,000 (around USD $1,090) a month.
The EBP covers essential medical services and meets all the minimum requirements from the DHA. Expats can purchase an EBP for their non-working dependents, regardless of their income. This means that even high-earning expats can enroll their dependents in an Essentials Benefits Plan.
Insurance providers that offer EBPs are Sukoon and Dubai National Insurance.
Local and International Health Insurance Plans in Dubai
Expats can choose to purchase local or international health insurance plans. Local health insurance plans only cover expats within the boundaries of Dubai or the Emirates, while international plans are globally portable and often have higher annual limits.
Expats who plan to travel outside of Dubai and the UAE are often recommended to purchase international health insurance plans. International health insurance is available for individuals and families, so expats can insure any of their dependents.
Best Health Insurance Plans for Expats with Emergency Coverage
The best health insurance plans for expats that include emergency care in Dubai are provided through Cigna Global, GIG Gulf, Sukoon and Bupa, and Allianz Care and Orient Insurance. We will share more about their DHA-compliant health insurance plans in the following sections.
Cigna Global Plans in Dubai for Expats
Cigna Global provides specialized coverage for Dubai through its Cigna Healthguard℠ plans. These come in varying levels of annual benefit limits, offer emergency care benefits, and were designed to comply with the Dubai Health Authority’s minimum requirements for healthcare coverage.
Expats can choose between three Cigna Healthguard℠ plans: Regional, International, and International Plus. The Regional plan only covers expats within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, other Middle East countries, and Asia (excluding Singapore, Hong Kong, and China).
The International and International Plus plans provide worldwide coverage (excluding the USA, unless you pay for a premium increase). The International Plus plan offers the most comprehensive coverage to expats in Dubai, with an unlimited annual benefit maximum.
Along with emergency medical treatment benefits, some of the other benefits included with Cigna’s plans are:
- Inpatient and outpatient services
- Coverage for pre-existing and chronic conditions
- Mental health services
- Rehabilitation and physiotherapy
- Preventive care
GIG Gulf Plans in Dubai for Expats
Gulf Insurance Group (GIG) is a leading insurer in the Middle East that provides health insurance plans that comply with DHA standards and provide emergency care coverage. They offer both local and regional geographical coverage, so expats can travel across the emirates.
Their local expertise and knowledge can make them a valuable insurance provider to expats in Dubai. Their network of providers includes top-quality hospitals and clinics in Dubai.
Sukoon and Bupa Plans in Dubai for Expats
Bupa Global partners with Sukoon Insurance to provide Dubai Health Authority-compliant plans to expats in Dubai and the UAE that include emergency care benefits. They provide four health insurance plans: Select, Premier, Elite, and Ultimate.
- Select Plan: Provides geographical coverage in Dubai and surrounding Middle Eastern countries, with an option to upgrade to worldwide coverage (excludes the US). This plan has an overall annual limit of AED 4,670,000 (around USD $1,271,440).
- Premier Plan: Provides worldwide geographical coverage, excluding the US. It also has the same annual limit as the Select plan, of AED 4,670,000 (around USD $1,271,440).
- Elite Plan: Provides more comprehensive benefits than the Select and Premier plans. It offers worldwide coverage that includes the US and an annual limit of AED 14,019,000 (around USD $3,816,770).
- Ultimate Plan: Provides the most comprehensive benefits of the health insurance plans offered by Bupa and Sukoon Insurance, with an unlimited annual limit. This plan also comes with worldwide coverage that includes the US.
Allianz Care and Orient Insurance for Expats in Dubai
Allianz Care is a top international health insurance provider that has partnered with the more local Orient Insurance to offer DHA-compliant health insurance plans for expats looking for emergency care coverage and other important benefits.
Allianz Care and Orient Insurance provide three customizable plans:
- Dubai Elite Individual Plan: The most comprehensive plan, with an annual maximum limit of USD $10,500,000 (around AED 38,566,500).
- Dubai Prime Individual Plan: Offers an annual maximum limit of USD $4,000,000 (around AED 14,692,000).
- Dubai Select Individual Plan: The most basic of Allianz and Orient’s plans, with an annual maximum limit of USD $1,750,000 (around AED 6,427,750).
These plans vary in terms of their annual maximum limits and benefit details, but each plan provides emergency care coverage. They also include other benefits like coverage for pre-existing conditions, inpatient and day hospital care, maternity services, outpatient care, and psychiatric services.
Expats can choose to add dental, enhanced maternity coverage, and repatriation riders to their coverage package. Allianz and Orient also provide the following global health services to their members:
- Expat Assistance Program (EAP)
- Travel security services
- Olive Health & Wellness Support Program
- MyHealth Digital Services
- Second medical opinion services
How to Access Emergency Medical Care in Dubai as an Expat
Expats can access emergency medical services in Dubai by dialing 998 for an ambulance. The Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services (DCAS) will dispatch an ambulance to your location, where emergency medical technicians will stabilize the patient and take them to the hospital.
Once you are at the hospital, you will present your Emirates ID and insurance card. If you are at an in-network hospital, your insurance can settle directly through direct billing. If you are out of network or don’t have direct billing, you will need to notify your insurer within 24 hours.
Both public and private hospitals can provide emergency treatment to expats in Dubai. Some expats may prefer private hospitals due to their generally shorter waiting times and more premium facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do expats qualify for free health insurance in Dubai?
Expats in Dubai do not qualify for free health insurance. Expats are expected and required to purchase their own health insurance plan from a private health insurance provider. If you are an expat working for a Dubai employer, they will provide your health insurance for you.
Is emergency treatment free for expats in Dubai?
Emergency treatment is not free for expats in Dubai. If you receive emergency treatment in Dubai and do not have emergency care coverage, you will be required to pay the cost out of pocket.
What is the cost of health insurance in Dubai for expats?
Private health insurance premiums average around USD $5,896 annually for an individual plan. The average annual family premium is priced around USD $17,670. The cost of your health insurance premium will vary depending on your provider and plan.
How do I call an ambulance in Dubai?
Expats can call an ambulance by dialing 998. The Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services will dispatch an ambulance to your location, where emergency medical technicians will stabilize the patient and take them to the nearest and most appropriate hospital for the emergency.
Conclusion
Expats in Dubai are required to have adequate health insurance coverage that will protect them in the event of unexpected illness or injury. Health insurance providers like Cigna Global, Allianz and Orient Insurance, and others offer comprehensive emergency care benefits.
Are you ready to begin securing your emergency care coverage today but don’t know where to start? Pacific Prime is partnered with a wide variety of global health insurance providers and can help expats in Dubai find the best fit for their needs.
As a global health insurance broker who specializes in expat health insurance, Pacific Prime can offer a wealth of professional expertise and services. Our tailor-made policies suit every budget and health care need for expats and travellers across the world.
Contact Pacific Prime to discuss, free of charge, a range of Dubai health insurance services available for you, your loved ones, or your group. To get a no-obligation, free price comparison quote, visit our website today!
If you’d like to read more articles for expats in Dubai, check out our following blog posts:
- Pharmacy and Prescription Costs in Dubai
- Dental and Vision Insurance in Dubai for Expats
Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
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