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Filipinos working and living in Dubai are required to have health insurance. Health insurance plans can be provided by employers or purchased as standalone plans. Without this mandatory coverage, Filipinos will not be issued a residency visa, and they can be fined.
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Are you a Filipino in Dubai looking for health insurance? Do you want to know more about the options available for you? The insurance experts at Pacific Prime created this article as a guide to health insurance in Dubai for Filipinos.
We will explain why health insurance is required in Dubai and why it is important, the types of health insurance plans available for Filipinos, and more. Keep reading, or click here for a free health insurance quote!
Health Insurance Requirements in Dubai for Filipino Expats
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) requires Filipino expats to have health insurance. Health insurance can be supplied by employers or bought through standalone individual or family health insurance policies. Dependents of Filipino expats are also required to have coverage.
Health insurance plans will need to meet the minimum standards set by the Dubai Health Authority, which include the following:
- An annual overall limit of at least AED 150,000 (around USD $40,800)
- Emergency medical treatment coverage
- Inpatient and outpatient care coverage
- Newborn care coverage
- Maternity services
- Coverage for pre-existing conditions
Any local health insurance provider in Dubai will offer at least a basic health insurance plan that includes these benefits. Some top international health insurance providers, such as Cigna Global, Sukoon, Bupa Global, and others offer DHA-compliant plans.
Why Health Insurance is Important for Filipinos in Dubai
Health insurance is important for Filipinos in Dubai due to the legal requirements for residents in Dubai, the higher cost of healthcare than in the Philippines, and the peace of mind it offers policyholders. These benefits make health insurance a valuable protection for Filipino expats.
- Fulfills Legal Requirements: Health insurance coverage fulfills legal requirements and protects Filipino expats from consequences like denied visa applications and fines. Penalties for not following this law can include fines of around AED 500 (around USD $136) per month per uninsured person.
- Protects Against Higher Healthcare Costs: Healthcare services in Dubai are pricier than in the Philippines. Without health insurance, Filipinos must pay these medical bills out of pocket. Minor surgeries in Dubai often cost more than AED 30,000 (about USD $8,170).
- Provides Peace of Mind: Filipino expats who are covered by health insurance are going to be less stressed in the event of an unexpected illness or accident than those who are uninsured. Health insurance provides invaluable financial support during stressful times.
Purchasing health insurance is an important step for moving to Dubai from the Philippines. Learning the type of health insurance available can help expats make the right choice for themselves or their family.
Types of Health Insurance Plans Available for Filipinos
Filipinos can choose basic or comprehensive health insurance plans from local or international providers. For Filipinos who are working for a Dubai employer, their employer will provide their health insurance coverage.
Local health insurance plans only cover Filipinos within the boundaries of Dubai or the emirates, while international plans are globally portable and often have higher annual limits.
Filipinos 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 Filipinos can insure any of their dependents.
Best Health Insurance Plans for Filipinos in Dubai
The best health insurance plans for Filipinos in Dubai are provided through Cigna Global, Gig Gulf, and Sukoon and Bupa. We will share more about their DHA-compliant health insurance plans in the following sections.
Cigna Global Plans in Dubai for Filipinos
Cigna Global provides Filipinos specialized coverage for Dubai through its Cigna Healthguard℠ plans. These come in varying levels of annual benefit limits and were designed to comply with the Dubai Health Authority’s minimum requirements for healthcare coverage.
Filipinos can choose between three Cigna Healthguard℠ plans: Regional, International, and International Plus. The Regional plan only covers Filipinos 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 Filipinos in Dubai with an unlimited annual benefit maximum.
GIG Gulf Plans in Dubai for Filipinos
Gulf Insurance Group (GIG) is a leading insurer in the Middle East that provides health insurance plans designed to comply with the Dubai Health Authority standards. They provide both local and regional geographical coverage, so Filipinos can travel across the emirates.
Their local expertise and knowledge can make them a valuable insurance provider to Filipinos in Dubai. Their network of providers includes top-quality hospitals and clinics in Dubai.
Sukoon and Bupa Plans in Dubai for Filipinos
Bupa Global partners with Sukoon Insurance to provide Dubai Health Authority-compliant plans to Filipinos in Dubai and the UAE. 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.
Cost of Health Insurance in Dubai for Filipinos
The average family premium for an individual health insurance plan in Dubai is USD $5,896 annually. Dubai and the rest of the UAE have seen health insurance premiums rise due to a variety of factors, such as general inflation and improved medical technology.
To learn more about the cost of family and individual health insurance premiums across the globe, download the Pacific Prime Cost of International Health Insurance Report here!
How to Keep Premiums Affordable in Dubai for Filipinos
Filipinos in Dubai can help keep their health insurance premiums affordable by comparing a variety of plans from different providers, customizing their coverage, choosing a high-deductible plan, and consulting with an insurance broker. We’ll explain more about these tips below.
Compare a Variety of Plans from Different Providers
Compare a variety of plans from different health insurance providers before you choose a plan. You may find a health insurance plan for you that fits you better than a different health insurance provider. You can use free quote tools to help you compare plans easily and quickly.
When comparing separate plans, make sure you analyze the annual limits, benefits covered, geographical coverage, and the exclusions. Take your time with this step so you don’t miss any key points. Comparing plans can help you find the most affordable fit for your health insurance needs.
Customize Your Coverage
Don’t pay for coverage you don’t need by customizing your coverage in your health insurance plan. While DHA rules mean you will have to buy a standardized basic coverage, you can still customize any additional benefits to ensure that you are only paying for what you need.
Are you unsure if you’ll need vision coverage? Don’t choose a plan with vision riders. Many insurance providers offer a variety of different insurance solutions. Choose the plan that best fits your coverage needs.
Choose a High-Deductible Plan
Choosing a high-deductible plan can lower your annual or monthly premium. With a high-deductible plan, the insurance company will pay less up front, and shift more of the financial risk to the policyholder. This can help keep your family premiums more affordable.
Consult With an Insurance Broker
Consulting with an insurance broker can help Filipino expats make the best choice for their health insurance plans by expediting the process and adding valuable support. Insurance brokers can help you find the most affordable option for yourself in Dubai.
Insurance brokers are partnered with a variety of health insurance providers and understand which may be more flexible with their underwriting. Insurance brokers can help explain complex insurance jargon, so you understand your policy completely.
They will also help expats in Dubai compare across a wide variety of insurance providers, which will save them time as they will not have to contact the insurers directly themselves. If you’re unsure where to start with securing health insurance, reach out to a professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Filipinos required to have health insurance while working in Dubai?
The DHA requires Filipino expats to have health insurance while working in Dubai. If a Filipino works for a Dubai employer, the employer will provide health insurance. Self-employed Filipino expats will need to purchase their own health insurance policy.
Is PhilHealth insurance coverage valid in Dubai?
The public Filipino health insurance program, PhilHealth, is not valid in Dubai. PhilHealth only provides coverage for Filipinos who are within the Philippines’ country borders.
How much insurance coverage do Filipinos need in Dubai?
Filipinos in Dubai will need at least the minimum required by the DHA. That includes an annual limit of at least AED 150,000 (around USD $40,800), emergency medical treatment coverage, inpatient and outpatient care coverage, maternity and newborn care, and coverage for pre-existing conditions.
How can I choose the best health insurance plan for Dubai?
Filipinos in Dubai can choose the best health insurance plan for their needs by ensuring the insurance provider is DHA-compliant, comparing hospital and clinic networks, and double-checking the fine print for any exclusions.
Conclusion
Filipinos moving to Dubai will need to secure health insurance for their time in the UAE. Without adequate health insurance coverage, Filipinos could have their visa applications denied or have to pay hefty fines. Health insurance coverage will also provide valuable protection in Dubai.
Filipino expats can choose international health insurance to stay visa compliant. Pacific Prime is partnered with a wide variety of global health insurance providers and can help expats 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:
- Health Insurance in Dubai for Indian Expats
- Health Insurance for Americans in Dubai
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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