Insurance policy

Remarkable Healthcare Insurance Policy of UAE – A Guide to Employers

Introduction:

The United Arab Emirates has implemented an integrated governmental policy system aimed at generating demand in the labor market. In alignment with these policies, the UAE has established strategic partnerships with the private sector to create a stable employment environment. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization plays a crucial role in organizing and monitoring the labor market, focusing on both domestic and international employees.

To attract a knowledgeable workforce, the ministry develops a secure infrastructure and delivers various essential services. These include health insurance for the working community, support for vulnerable groups, and information about patients’ rights and responsibilities. Additionally, measures are in place to combat communicable diseases, ensuring comprehensive coverage of healthcare facilities, emergency services, and multiple healthcare insurance policies.

Due to the existing COVID-19 pandemic, every business is stepping forward to meet the safe ‘New Normal’ with the prompt safety measures being taken. As an employer, why do you want to get to know these things? In what way will it affect the business? You will find the importance and the benefits after reading this article. 

‘People-centric’ healthcare policies in UAE 

According to the UAE annual report 2018, the workforce in the United Arab Emirates is 7.384 million, which contributes skilled workforce from various sectors like energy, communication, advanced science, technology, artificial intelligence and blockchain with increased focus on attracting, recruiting and maintaining the talents within the country. The coverage of the health insurance for employers and also their dependents is deliberated by the major criteria such as designation that they hold, salary that they are being paid etc. The extent to which the coverage is offered will be an undeniable surprise

Well-integrated insurance system: 

From approving the work permit to the renewal of the visa, UAE keeps check at every point in time, ensuring the safety of the people living within the country. Every legally registered UAE organization should maintain the bank guarantee respective to their business size. Instead of maintaining a bank guarantee of AED 3,000 with the Ministry of Human Resource and Emiratisation, all the employers will be given an option to opt for buying employee insurance.  

    On October 15, 2018, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) implemented the very new insurance policy for employees called Ta-meen by the UAE cabinet, as a replacement to the bank guarantee. Under this insurance system, the insurance will be provided to a maximum extent of AED 20,000 per employee and protecting the employee from the company’s bankruptcy or an insolvency situation to get his benefits. If the insurance company was about to pay for the employee, then in return the employer has to repay the same amount to the insurance company. Cutting edge and being cost-effective is the smartest decision to make for organizations of any size, hence not investing on the health care of the employee will lead you to so many non-calculated expenses.  

    Healthcare laws in various emirates 

    Health insurance system in UAE differs based on every emirates. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation look after the overall insurance of the United Arab Emirates. Employers and sponsors are responsible for providing health insurance to their employees and their family with 1 spouse, 3 children who are under 18 years. Name of the programme and the benefits out of it might be slightly vary based on the country. Let’s look into the brief. 

    Medical insurance in Abu Dhabi: 

    The Health Authority Abu Dhabi(HAAD) is the regulator for healthcare systems in Abu Dhabi. HAAD offers complete medical coverage to their nationals under the programme name ‘Thiqa’. The Abu Dhabi basic plan and the ‘thiqa’ plan were designed with the motive to meet the current and the future demand of the workforce with increased efficiency across the industries. As the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the insurance authority recently pointed out in a press release that the communicable disease is also included with the all type of health insurance policy unless it is explicitly stated in the policy. Insurance companies’ remains liable for the necessary health insurance to ensure the best services delivered. 

    The Health Authority of Abu Dhabi publishes, the employer or the sponsor are responsible for the healthcare insurance of the employee or the worker. The employer shall undertake beneficial health insurance coverage for his employees, wife of the employee and three children who are under 18 years of age as of the date of arrival into the state. 

    Medical insurance in Dubai: 

    Dubai Health Authority (DHA) demands that every resident of Dubai must have benefits stipulated with a minimum level of health insurance that at-least meet the Essential Basic Plan (EBP). In the Dubai region, every employer is obligated to meet the medical insurance of their employees. Dubai Health Authority (DHA), who are handling the insurance related programme, got everything else covered under the ‘Saada’ programme. The law doesn’t end here, it also imposes that all the dependents, which includes the spouse and dependent of the employee and the domestic workers should also be covered for the basic medical insurance in Dubai. This shows that the government not just attracts the talents but also is interested in taking care of them. The most apparent ‘people-centric’ economic systemization is evident in this regard. 

    The major objective of the mandatory health insurance is to make the Dubai emirates highly accessible for healthcare and towards the goal of equipping UAE with the advanced healthcare system. The main objectives of all those articles is to  

      Improvising the health finance system of the country with sustainability and efficiency 

      Captivating the investment for the healthcare system to maintain its competitiveness among the other Emirates nations 

      With the motive to protect all the participating parties through the provision of health services 

      Medical insurance in other emirates

       Medical insurance in other emirates is not as similar as above. The Ministry of Health looks after the other healthcare related regulations in the UAE for the emirates Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain. Even in these cases some emirates introduced healthcare institutions on their own. In those exceptional emirates, employers are not necessary to provide the cover to the employees. Whereas, in case of Sharjah, both the employees and their dependents, who work for their government are provided with the necessary medical cover. 

      As a concluding section, now we are crystal clear about why the UAE is insisting on having healthcare insurance for our employees. We have made it simple for you by providing the authentic links possible as and when needed for your reference. But, Wait! Did you really think of the challenge of how you’re going to organize the sensitive documents of your employees in the process of medical insurance coverage? We are stepping ahead in extending our services for you in this too! 

      We, at HRBluSky, assist you in getting DHA medical insurance, additional cover for the employees and their dependents and a fully functional tool to raise a claim with the documents being sent to the concerned authority with high confidentiality. Not just the medical claims, but all kinds of claims with their receipts being sent electronically. Organizing the critical and vital process which demands sustainability, timely act and security is delivered through our service.  

      We have heard a few questions from you relating to the medical insurance policy. We tried as much as we can in the below. If you do not find what’s on your mind, we are here to assist you with what is needed and how our platform can guide to the best practices of the medical insurance management system. Reach out to us right here in this HRBluSky

      FAQs
      Does the employer have the medical cover for Lower Salary Band (LSB) employees in Dubai?

      Employees who are earning gross monthly salary of 4000AED are categorized as Lower Salary Band employees. Employers have the option to choose the level of benefits of the LSB employee, but in any case cannot deny the coverage. Either the sponsor or the employer should always have the Essential Basic Plan (EBP) coverage.

      Where can employers buy health insurance in Dubai?

      An employer requests for the advice of the insurance company which is legally registered and holding the Dubai Health Insurance Permit. Insurance companies are liable in providing the best services to the Emirates registered employers.

      What are the legal requirements for healthcare insurance in Dubai? 

      There are so many scheme types such as TPA administered schemes, Insured capitation schemes, self-funded and so on as mentioned in the Employer Information Pack, based on which the requirements also vary. For detailed information refer to the link.

      What is the mandatory healthcare insurance in Abu Dhabi?

      According to Article 4 published by the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi.  The minimum level of healthcare service offered under the ‘Basic Health Insurance Policy’ coverage.

      Does the dependent be included in the group insurance schemes?

      If the insurance company offers such facility, an employer has the possibility to choose the option, but they might require a contribution from the employee.