Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) has issued a detailed explanation regarding the newly introduced health insurance package that came into effect on January 1, 2025. This package was launched in collaboration with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security and the Ministry of Health & Prevention, alongside several insurance providers.

It is designed to offer competitively priced health coverage with reduced treatment costs for private sector employees and domestic workers throughout the United Arab Emirates.

Coverage Details

The ministry confirmed that the new insurance package includes provisions for chronic diseases and pre-existing conditions, eliminating the typical six-month waiting period associated with most insurance plans.

However, the coverage explicitly excludes maternity, childbirth, and dental treatments.

The insurance network comprises seven hospitals, 47 clinics, and 44 pharmacies, ensuring a broad spectrum of accessible healthcare.

Additionally, dependents of insured employees will benefit from the same coverage and pricing as per the policy terms.

Telemedicine Services

Among the features of this new insurance package are telehealth services that provide medical consultations via phone or online platforms.

Patients can access medical advice and treatment without requiring an in-person visit and without additional co-payment, barring pharmacy-related expenses.

Employer Obligations and Costs

MOHRE emphasized that private sector employers and sponsors of domestic workers are responsible for the cost of health insurance during the issuance or renewal of residency permits effective January 1, 2025. The pricing for this insurance package is set at Dh320 per year.

For inpatient treatments, insured individuals must cover 20% of the treatment costs, with a cap of Dh500 per visit and a maximum of Dh1,000 per year.

Any expenses beyond this cap will be covered entirely by the insurance provider.

For outpatient treatments, a 25% co-payment is required, up to Dh100 per visit.

Follow-up visits within seven days for the same condition are exempt from this co-payment, while medication co-payments are set at 30%, with annual coverage up to Dh1,500.

As of January 1, employers were mandated to purchase this new health insurance policy as a prerequisite for issuing or renewing residency permits.

This can be processed through 'Network-Dubai Care' or any approved insurance company.

Employees with work permits issued before this date are not required to obtain the new insurance until their residence permits are due for renewal.

The policy is also available for purchase online through whi.ae or at designated business service centers.

Key Benefits

The ministry highlighted six primary advantages of the new package:

1. Competitive pricing at Dh320 annually.

2. Two-year validity with a refund option for the second year if the residency permit is canceled.

3. Inclusion of chronic and pre-existing conditions without waiting periods.

4. Extensive medical network comprising seven hospitals, 47 clinics, and 44 pharmacies.

5. Coverage extended to dependents of insured employees.

6. Access to telehealth services for remote medical consultations without co-payment, barring pharmacy costs.