Affordable Elderly Health Insurance Solutions in the UAE

 In the UAE, health insurance is mandatory for all residents, including senior citizens. However, finding comprehensive and affordable health insurance for seniors can be challenging due to increased healthcare needs and potential pre-existing conditions.

Types of Health Insurance Plans:

• Individual Plans: Policies purchased directly by the individual or their family, offering a range of coverage options and flexibility in choosing benefits.
• Group Plans: Typically provided by employers to their employees and may extend coverage to dependents, including elderly parents.
• Government-Sponsored Plans: The UAE government provides basic health insurance coverage for Emirati citizens through programs like Thiqa in Abu Dhabi and SAICO in Dubai.

Key Considerations for Senior Citizen Health Insurance:

• Age and Pre-existing Conditions: Insurance premiums tend to increase with age, and pre-existing conditions may affect coverage or result in higher premiums.
• Coverage Needs: Seniors may require coverage for specific medical needs such as chronic disease management, hospitalization, prescription medications, and specialized treatments.
• Network of Healthcare Providers: It's important to choose a plan with a wide network of hospitals, clinics, and doctors that are conveniently located.
• Policy Exclusions and Limitations: Carefully review the policy wording to understand any exclusions or limitations on coverage.

Where to Find Health Insurance Plans:

• Insurance Companies: Many insurance companies in the UAE offer health insurance plans for senior citizens. Some popular providers include Adamjee, Takaful Emarat, Orient Takaful, and Cigna.
• Insurance Brokers: Insurance brokers can help you compare different plans from various providers and find the best option for your needs and budget.
• Online Platforms: Online platforms like Policybazaar.ae allow you to compare and purchase health insurance plans online.

Recently Launched Plan:

• Vibrance Senior: This is a new health insurance plan launched by Aster DM Healthcare in partnership with Dubai Insurance. It is specifically tailored to meet the needs of senior residents in the UAE and offers comprehensive medical services, including preventive care and advanced treatment.

Key Features of Vibrance Senior Plan:

• Comprehensive Coverage: The plan offers a wide range of coverage, from preventive screenings to advanced tertiary care, including specialized chronic disease and arthritis care.
• Chronic Disease Management: It provides complete support for managing chronic conditions, ensuring long-term health and well-being.
• Home-Based Access: Patients can access consultations and follow-ups from home through TruDoc's telehealth platform, reducing the need for frequent hospital visits.
• 24/7 Accessibility: Support is available around the clock via app or phone.
• Teleconsultation Care: Members can avail of teleconsultations with DHA-licensed physicians and specialists.
• Personalized Care Plans: Seniors with chronic conditions receive personalized, data-driven care plans that can be accessed and monitored remotely.
• Full Health Screening at Home: Free full health screening at home within the first 30 days of policy activation.
• Emergency Coverage: Included in the plan.
• Annual Maximum Limit: Dh150,000 for shared benefits.

Pricing:

The premiums for the Vibrance Senior plan vary based on the age of the insured and are subject to individual medical history. Here's an overview:

• Ages 65-69: Dh16,693 annually
• Ages 70-74: Dh22,146 annually
• Ages 75-79: Dh27,591 annually

Pharmacy Limit:

The plan offers two options with different pharmacy limits:

• Plan 1: Dh3,000 annual pharmacy limit with a 20% co-pay.
• Plan 2: Dh5,000 annual pharmacy limit with a 20% co-pay.

Important Notes:

• These premiums are indicative and may change based on individual medical history and underwriting.
• It's advisable to contact Dubai Insurance or Aster DM Healthcare directly for the most accurate and up-to-date pricing and plan details.
• You can purchase the plan through Dubai Insurance Company and the Orange Care website, Slice Of Wellness.

Tips for Choosing a Plan:

• Shop around and compare different plans: Get quotes from multiple providers and compare coverage, premiums, and benefits.
• Consider your individual needs: Choose a plan that meets your specific healthcare needs and budget.
• Read the policy wording carefully: Understand the terms and conditions of the policy, including any exclusions or limitations.
• Seek advice from a financial advisor or insurance broker: They can help you navigate the options and choose the best plan for your circumstances.

Important Note: The information provided here is intended for general knowledge and informational purposes only, and does not constitute financial or insurance advice. It is essential to consult with a qualified professional for personalized advice based on your circumstances.

 

The U.A.E 2025 initiative, All Private Sector Employees Get Mandatory Health Insurance

HH Sheikh Mohammed

 Current Situation (as of March 19, 2024):

There is no federal law mandating health insurance for private sector employees across the UAE. However, two individual emirates have implemented mandatory health insurance:

Abu Dhabi: Requires employers to provide health insurance for employees and their families.

Dubai: Requires employers to provide health insurance for employees, with coverage for dependents being optional.

Upcoming Change (effective January 1, 2025):

A mandatory health insurance scheme will be implemented nationwide for private sector employees and domestic workers. Employers will be responsible for covering the cost of this insurance when issuing or renewing residency permits for their workers. 

Starting January 1, 2025, the UAE will require employers to provide health insurance coverage for their private sector employees and domestic workers. This new rule applies to workers obtaining or renewing their residency permits. It marks the second mandatory insurance program for UAE employees, following the implementation of a job loss protection scheme in 2023. 

This initiative aims to improve the competitiveness of the UAE's labor market and guarantee access to quality healthcare for the workforce. 

Health insurance is a fundamental aspect of any comprehensive healthcare system, providing individuals with access to necessary medical services without facing exorbitant costs. By making health insurance mandatory for private sector employees, the UAE is demonstrating its commitment to prioritizing the health and safety of its workforce. 

This new policy is expected to have far-reaching benefits, not only for employees but also for employers and the overall economy. By ensuring that workers have access to quality healthcare services, productivity will likely increase, absenteeism due to illness may decrease, and overall job satisfaction could improve. 

Furthermore, mandatory health insurance can help alleviate the financial burden on individuals and families in the event of unexpected medical emergencies or chronic illnesses. It provides a safety net that offers peace of mind and ensures that individuals can seek medical treatment without worrying about the associated costs. 

In conclusion, the UAE's decision to implement mandatory health insurance for private sector employees from 2025 is a positive development that underscores the country's commitment to the well-being of its workforce. By prioritizing access to healthcare services and financial protection, the UAE is taking a proactive approach to safeguarding the health and livelihoods of its residents.

No more extensions for health insurance in Dubai, Employers, sponsors will face penalties

Employers and sponsors who have not yet purchased health insurance for their employees and their dependents, respectively, will have to start paying penalties from the end of this year, with no further extensions to be given, a top Dubai Health Authority (DHA) official has said.

Since the roll-out of the Dubai Health Authority’s (DHA) mandatory health insurance scheme, which is in line with the Health Insurance Law No. 11 of 2013, all Dubai visa holders must have had access to medical insurance by June 30, 2016, but 12 per cent of the population have still not been covered, said Dr Haidar Al Yousuf, Director of Health Funding at DHA

“There will be no more extensions given as the deadline was actually in June 2016. Those who haven’t purchased a health insurance for their employees and dependents are in violation of the law. What was extended earlier was only the deadline on penalties, but by the end of this year, the fines will become active,” he said.

Up to date, he said, 88 per cent of the target population in Dubai, almost 3.5 million people, are already benefiting from the mandatory health insurance. “Over the next month, the remaining 12 per cent need to have the insurance or their employees or sponsors will be liable to penalties after that.”

Dr Yousuf was speaking on the sidelines of the 3rd annual health insurance congress held in Dubai on Thursday, which was held under the theme of ‘Innovation and Sustainability’ and which addressed the tremendous opportunities as well as challenges that await Dubai ahead of the final systemic implementation of the mandatory health insurance.

“People need to start thinking [in the right way], because the fines are more expensive than the cost of insurance itself. The fine is Dh500 per month per employer, and the basic benefit package starts from Dh550 person per year. It makes more sense to purchase that insurance as it protects not only the employee but also the employer,” Dr Yousuf said.

The law mandates health insurance for everyone, the responsibility for providing the insurance lays with the employers first, and for those who don’t have employers, it lays with the sponsor. The law also mandates tools that ensure people do get the health insurance, so it became linked to the residency visa process. The law also prohibits the employer or sponsor from deducting the amount of premium money from the salary of the employee. It is illegal by law and punishable, he explained.

Speaking further about the ‘dependents’ category, making up one million of the population, which includes spouses, children and domestic workers such as houseboys, maids and nannies, he said it is the responsibility of the employee himself if his employer doesn’t provide insurance to his dependents to purchase insurance for them. Only less than 30 per cent of dependents of employees are currently covered by companies.

“The government has ensured that there are affordable packages in the market, starting from Dh600. With around Dh2,000, the dependents can all be insured. It is an affordable amount. The essential benefit plan covers doctors’ visits, referral to specialists, surgical operations, maternity, emergency services, investigations, medication and all benefits required.”

There have been lots of cases where uninsured dependents have fallen sick and required to pay huge bills, he said.

“We have seen many cases where people had a housemaid without a health insurance who suddenly fell sick and her hospital bill went up to Dh60,000, which they had to pay. Recently, we had seen a case with an Emirati family whose housemaid went into the intensive care unit (ICU) and had a very complicated case. Their total bill was Dh165,000 and it was fully covered by insurance. He only paid Dh500 as the deductible,” he said.

The law was designed to make sure the entire system is sustainable and no one party falls short of cash as result of having to pay for health care, he added.

In regards to utilising innovation in the health insurance sector, Dr Yousuf said the DHA has electronic systems that work to ensure people are protected, have access to their health care package and understand how to use it.

“We have specifically designed a complaints portal called iPROMeS, where any person who is not satisfied with the services provided by the insurance company can reach us directly.”

Also, Dr Yousuf advised people to have a look at the packages from all insurance companies licensed by DHA through www.isahd.ae and choose their best options.

The congress was hosted by Gulf Medical University (GMU), which is owned and run by Thumbay Group, in association with Aafia Medical Billing Services. The event was presided by chief guest Shaikh Mohammad Maktoum Juma Al Maktoum, Chairman of MBM Groups, and attended by industry leaders and policymakers representing the government, and health care industry including insurance providers and hospitals.

Dr Yousuf addressed delegates advising them to focus on the dependents category in the market and to appeal to them and provide them with cost-effective packages that deliver good quality of care to people.

Mandatory health insurance for all in Dubai by June 2016

Dubai Health Authority (DHA) will complete the implementation of Dubai’s Mandatory Health Insurance Scheme ISAHD (Bringing Happiness), by the end of June, 2016.

DHA is currently in the third and final phase of implementing the scheme on companies with less than 100 employees, including all spouses, dependents and domestic workers

Dr. Haidar Al Yousuf, Director of Public Health Funding at DHA said that 75 per cent of Dubai expatriates are now covered by the insurance, thanks to the mandatory health insurance."This means we have 25 per cent left to cover by June, we hope to have close to 100 per cent of Dubai expatriates covered by the insurance by the end of next month," he said.

He added that the implementation of the scheme, to have all Dubai resident covered by health insurance is going according to the adopted time frame. Dr. Al Yousuf said that linking the health insurance scheme to visa issuance and renewal in partnership with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) contributed to the success of the implementation process.

Dr. Al Yousuf called on all companies to hurry in insuring their employers before the end of June 2016, to avoid penalties imposed by Executive Council Resolution No.7 of 2016. DHA has completed the first phase that included companies with more than 1,000 in 2014 and the second phase, which included companies with 999 to 100 employees in 2015.

The necessity to hold the Health Insurance Permit (HIP) is mandatory and only those companies with a valid permit are eligible to provide insurance cover as part of Dubai's Mandatory Health Insurance Scheme which is being rolled-out in phases until June -2016. The scheme is known as ISAHD which stands for Insurance System for Advancing Healthcare in Dubai and also means happiness in Arabic.

So far, 46 insurance companies and four TPA's have achieved unconditional compliance, AL Maidoor said: "Putting these criteria in place is important as it sets unified quality standards for the health insurance industry in Dubai and protects all parties involved especially customers. Since we have set minimum criteria many insurance companies have improved their standards in terms of customer service, complaints handling, data security and operational effectiveness in order to obtain a permit. Putting such a process in place also assures the public that these companies have met minimum standards required. From a regulatory point of view, we can ensure that checks and measures are in place and in case of violations we can take action with the ultimate sanction being revocation of the permit."

He said insurance companies who qualified as Participating Insurers to provide essential health benefits (EHB) package to resident employees with salaries below AED 4,000 underwent a rigorous assessment procedure to ascertain their ability to provide an insurance package at an affordable rate. The premium for this package will range between AED 500-700 per person per year. Al Maidoor said: "The objective of the essential benefits plan is to provide adequate cover at a reasonable cost to employers. DHA recognizes that in doing so insurers also have to make a reasonable profit. Only those capable of handling volume business and who can operate effectively over the long term can make the system sustainable.