Health Insurance
Health insurance is mandatory in the UAE, but meeting the requirement is only the starting point. The real differences sit in the hospital network, annual limits, co-payments, exclusions, maternity benefits, pre-existing conditions and where in the world you can receive treatment.
We compare plans across leading local and international insurers and go through those details before you choose. So you know which hospitals you can use, what you will pay yourself and where the limits of the policy sit.
Already covered through work?
Your company policy may be all you need. It is still worth knowing exactly what it covers.
We can review the hospital network, annual limit, co-payments, maternity and dental benefits, family cover and geographical limits. If there is a meaningful gap, we can look at personal or additional cover.
What kind of cover do you need?
Individual health insurance
For people arranging their own cover in the UAE.
Plans can range from basic compliant cover to wider hospital networks, higher annual limits and additional benefits. We help you compare what changes as the premium changes, particularly the hospitals you can access and the amount you may need to pay yourself.
Family health insurance
One policy can cover a spouse and children, with options around maternity, paediatrics, dental and other benefits depending on the plan.
In Dubai, employers are required to insure their employees. Where dependants are not covered by the employer, the sponsor is responsible for arranging their health insurance.
International health insurance
For people who want the option to receive treatment outside the UAE.
International plans can provide access to healthcare across countries and wider medical networks. The important part is deciding where you need cover (UAE, Middle East, worldwide excluding the US, or worldwide), because geography can make a significant difference to the premium.
International Private Medical Insurance
For clients who want broader choice over where and how they receive treatment.
Depending on the plan, this can include access to private hospitals internationally, specialist treatment, higher limits and benefits beyond a standard local medical policy. Bupa Global, for example, currently describes its offering specifically as International Private Medical Insurance rather than domestic-only UAE cover.
What to check before you choose
Hospital network.
Are the hospitals and clinics you would actually use included?
Annual limit.
How much will the insurer pay in a policy year?
Co-pay and deductible.
What portion of consultations, tests, treatment or medication will you pay yourself?
Pre-existing conditions.
What is covered, excluded or subject to additional terms?
Maternity.
What are the waiting periods, limits and co-payments?
Geographical cover.
Does the policy work only in the UAE, across the region or internationally?
Exclusions.
What does the policy specifically not pay for?
Where health insurance stops
Health insurance pays eligible medical costs. It does not replace your income or give you a lump sum because you have been diagnosed with a serious illness.
That is where critical illness insurance is different. If you are diagnosed with a condition covered by the policy and meet its definition, it pays a lump sum directly to you. The money can be used for living costs, time away from work, additional treatment or anything else you need.
Explore critical illness cover
