The United Arab Emirates has recently unveiled a comprehensive healthcare initiative aimed at providing basic health insurance for private sector employees and domestic workers across the nation. This new health insurance policy is set to take effect on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, aligning all emirates with the existing health insurance frameworks already established in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. As a result, private sector employees and domestic workers residing in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah will now have access to this national health insurance policy. Once implemented, this initiative will ensure that every worker in the UAE is covered by health insurance.
The UAE government initially approved this health insurance policy in March of this year, and the finer details of the scheme have now been confirmed. Starting from January 2025, employers throughout all emirates will be mandated to acquire the new UAE health insurance policy as a condition for renewing residency permits. However, it is important to note that this new regulation will not apply to employees holding a valid work permit issued before January 1, 2024. For these individuals, the health insurance policy will become compulsory only at the time of their residency permit renewal.
Khalil Al Khoori, the Undersecretary of Labour Market and Emiratisation Operations at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), expressed optimism regarding the new UAE health insurance scheme. He stated, “The Health Insurance Scheme reflects the UAE’s commitment to extending a comprehensive protection system to all workers across the labor market, ensuring a decent quality of life for everyone by providing access to high-quality healthcare services for private sector employees and domestic workers.”
Furthermore, Al Khoori emphasized that the new Health Insurance Scheme is set to significantly enhance the competitiveness of the UAE’s labor market, improving performance metrics related to quality of life, rights protection, and social and healthcare security. He added that the initiative is expected to alleviate financial burdens for both workers and employers by reducing costs associated with medical treatment and the potential unpaid sick leave that uninsured workers may require.
What is the basic UAE health insurance package?
The newly introduced basic UAE health insurance policy is designed to ensure that every worker in the country is covered. This insurance package will be available through the DubaiCare Network and will be purchased by employers, which could ultimately lead to a decreased financial burden associated with employee medical expenses.
The policy will be valid for a two-year period, with the option for a refund on the second-year premium if the employee’s visa is canceled. Basic packages are priced at Dhs320 per year, featuring no waiting period for workers with chronic illnesses. Coverage will be extended to individuals aged between 1 to 64 years, while those over 64 will be required to complete a medical disclosure form. Insured individuals will be responsible for a maximum of Dhs500 per visit, with an annual cap set at Dhs1,000, which will include medications. Beyond these stipulated limits, the insurance company will cover 100 percent of costs incurred.
Beginning January 1, 2025, employers will have the option to either purchase the outlined insurance package or select any other product from accredited insurance companies through various channels, including the Insurance Pool website and smart application, as well as business service centers located throughout the country.
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