The UAE has unveiled a comprehensive health insurance scheme aimed at ensuring complete coverage for private sector employees and domestic workers across the Northern Emirates.

Complementing the current obligatory insurance systems in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, this project will reach employees in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah starting January 1, 2025, This action marks a major turning point toward national workforce 100% health insurance coverage.

Affordable and Inclusive Coverage

Accessible to a wide spectrum of workers, the basic health insurance plan costs as low as Dh320 annually. It covers everyone between the ages of 1 and 64; there is no waiting time for those with pre-existing chronic diseases. Although workers above the age of 64 can also benefit from the coverage, eligibility is determined by their medical disclosure form submission together with current health reports.

Coverage Specifications and Cost Sharing

With particular co-payment systems to distribute treatment expenses between the insured and the insurance provider, the plan provides strong coverage for inpatient and outpatient therapy, For inpatient treatments, including hospital stays or procedures, the insured must pay 20% of the treatment cost, limited at Dh500 per visit and Dh1,000 yearly. The insurance provider covers the remaining expenses totally after these limits are reached.

The co-payment for outpatient treatment-including medical consultations, diagnostic testing, and minor operations not requiring hospitalisation-is 25%, with a ceiling of Dh100 each visit. Co-payments are not applied for follow-up visits for the same condition within seven days. Medications have a 30% co-payment, with an annual limit of Dh1,500, therefore guaranteeing that patients do not have unduly heavy financial obligations for required treatments.

Family Advantage

Supported by a vast healthcare network comprising seven hospitals, 46 clinics and medical centers, and 45 pharmacies across the Northern Emirates, the insurance plan is This great availability guarantees employees have simple access to high-quality medical treatment without having to travel great distances.

Apart from paying employees, the program lets dependents from the worker's family access the same advantages and pricing under the designated policy conditions. This tool emphasizes UAE's dedication to guarantee not only workers' but also their families' welfare.

One noteworthy feature of the program is its inclusiveness, especially for employees with chronic diseases, This plan guarantees that people with continuous medical demands get timely treatment unlike conventional insurance packages that may impose waiting periods or exclusions for pre-existing conditions.

The launch of this program fits the UAE's more general objective of attaining workforce universal health coverage. The Northern Emirates government shows its commitment to improving the quality of life for both citizens and expats by providing health insurance to all private sector workers as well as personal assistants.

By lowering workers' out-of-pocket medical costs and increasing access to healthcare services, this program should yield long-term advantages, It also highlights the UAE's forward-looking attitude to include health insurance into its system for worker rights and benefits, therefore strengthening its standing as a worldwide center for expatriate professionals.