Health insurance to become compulsory in the UEA

A countrywide health insurance law is expected to come into effect later this year. Every resident, including expatriates, in the country must have health insurance cover which will provide them with minimum healthcare services.

 

Original reports suggested that employers would have to pay the costs. The Ministry of Health has denied this and now says that premiums will have to be paid by individuals to an insurance organisation. The policies will be issued by a new federal agency.

 

The new health insurance policies will mean, practically, that the current health card system provided by government healthcare institutions will be scrapped. This is important for many of the 115,000 British and 10,000 Irish nationals working and living in the UEA, as getting a health card has been a way of complying with the law that says all expatriates must have medical insurance of some sort.

 

However, the law is aimed at enabling all residents in the country to pay insurance instalments and get health coverage.

 

Health insurance policies will be issued by a federal agency. The minimum healthcare services include primary healthcare for treatment of influenza, high temperatures and similar sicknesses.

 

Under the national health insurance plan, all UAE residents can seek treatment at hospitals in the UAE, including private ones, listed by the new federal insurance provider.

 

Residents and expatriates will still be able to increase coverage by buying cover from private insurance companies.

 

Exact details are vague as the government refuses to say when the new laws will apply, other than "this year".