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A Complete Guide to Family Health Insurance in UAE

As the world is drifting towards innovation and technology, we are also experiencing a new wave of viruses and diseases that can affect our foreseeable future. People have lost their work, many have lost lives. Families are more concerned about their loved one’s health.

Providing a safe future to your family by ensuring their health has become a necessity. The decisions that we take today will shape the lives of the people that are dependent on us.

If your family looks up to you for their well-being you should also take care of your health too. Families are meant to be together but sometimes the unthinkable happens and you cannot avoid it.

Family Insurance Uae

In these turbulent times, family health could also give you a sense of hope with the security that your family would be taken care of in medical emergencies.

Life of an ex-pat:

If you are shifting to UAE for your work or even traveling with family, you are still on foreign land. No doubt UAE has become the center of attraction for the world for its many inventions in the field of tourist attraction and medical tourism.

With the increased rate of the markets ex-pats can always expect to budge in their budget, and if you have a family to take care of the expenses could get high.

What is Family Health Insurance:

A family health insurance generally covers your family that includes one spouse and three children against any medical emergencies. Some companies also have an option of adding your parents or your extended family.

According to the Law passed by UAE Government in January 2014 it is mandatory to have health insurance for the citizens and the ex-pats with their families.

This article would guide you step by step by how you could choose a health insurance for a better and more secure future for your loved ones.

ELIGIBILITY:

UAE citizens can avail free health services from the Government if you are between the age group of 18 to 75. For ex-pats to save themselves from the hefty fees for medical bills the employer is required to get you insurance but they can only cover 50% of the insurance rest has to be paid by the employee.

Benefits:

Generally, family health insurance covers a wide variety of medical treatments such as hospital charges, medication, maternity care, physician consultation, surgical. These plans can also be updated with the premium plan for other medical bills such as Dental care, optical treatments.

Health Insurance providers have a wide variety of options that are specifically designed for your need. Some of the providers also give you huge coverage across the globe where language can be no barrier.

If you have health insurance, you would also get the advantage in private hospitals of getting treatment and not waiting for it.

Cost Effective:

Dubai is known for its medical procedure and has garnered a lot of attention from all around the world. The cost of surgeries can put a hole in your pocket because the best treatments are not cheap.

As the travel opportunity is increasing in UAE, so is the precaution and safety of its people. It is very important to understand how insurance can save the cost of medical emergencies.

So, having a health cover could save a lot of money and burden from your shoulders because as an ex-pat if you are working in UAE and not insured there would be fines that would be hard to ignore.

If you are visiting UAE for a short time or a job, please do in-depth surveys on how and where you could get insured because paying from your pocket would eventually drain you out.

Buying a family health insurance in the early stages would take you two-step ahead in this inflated market.

One policy that covers everyone:

Family health insurance assures you of medical bills or treatments if any of your family members or maybe you develop a terminal illness that may affect your life.

Legal Rules:

UAE has different medical laws for each emirate. But as discussed above it is mandatory to get health insurance in UAE.

 Dubai: Every ex-pat is required to have health insurance for them and their family. Employers are not obligated to provide insurance for the employee. It is employee duty to fulfill the requirement.

If anyone is fail to do so there are some heavy penalties and may lead to the cancellation of a visa.

Abu Dhabi:

Employers are legally bound to provide health care insurance to its employees and their dependents (include spouse and 3 children). The employer is required to pay 50% of the premium and the rest must be paid by the employee.

In the case of other dependents, the employee is responsible for their health insurance.

According to the Labour Law,  ex-pats are expected to get a health card for receiving public health services but don’t forget the long waiting period and language barrier.

Considerations:

There is the variety of things that should be considered before choosing the right insurance for your family. Listed below are a few key points which might help you get a clear picture.

a.  If you are the only provider in the family, then your family is dependent upon you for their health.

b.  Do any of your family members visit physicians frequently.

c.   How much is your budget. Thinking of the amount you can invest on health insurance is important.

d.  Lifestyle: the way you lead your life plays an integral part in your health. Are you providing your family with a healthy and safe environment?

Claim Process:

It is one of the most underlined factors that are ignored by most ex-pats. Do a thorough survey on what is the history of the provider.

1.  How many claims have been settled so far?

2.  Is it a cashless transaction?

3.  How much time does the provider usually take to settle a claim?

4.  How seamless is the process?

5.  How transparent is the company?

Conclusion:

If you are not a citizen of the UAE, health insurance should be the first thing in your mind if you are moving to the United Arab Emirates.

You can apply for the health card online but that would not guarantee free checkup in the public health sector. The best way to ensure safety in the private sector would opt for the health insurance provider.


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