As a popular expat destination worldwide, Dubai has amazing opportunities to offer. Expats can enjoy a premium quality of living in this city. So, if you plan to relocate to Dubai for work, you can enjoy a great social life experience. There are lip-smacking cuisines to pamper your taste buds.
Moving to the City of Gold is an exciting experience filled with joy and pleasure. However, there’s one thing every expat should consider when traveling to Dubai: health insurance. On that note, here’s the expat’s guide to health insurance policies. Let’s learn further on this front from the given points.
Learning about Dubai’s Healthcare System Funds
Healthcare in the city is funded via the public sector and taxation. In addition, a small funding amount is available from the patient expenditures and co-pays. Employees are eligible for a 20% copayment of medical expenses, 1000 dirhams annually.
Employers have to offer health insurance policies to expat employees. However, if the expat has dependents, the insurance won’t cover their medical needs under the scheme. But one may find some insurance plans with family coverage.
Understanding the Differences between Public and Private Care
Usually, Emirati citizens are entitled to use the public medical system. On the other hand, expats prefer private healthcare choices. But there’s no point for expats to hesitate using the public system. The city’s standard of care is high, with most foreign citizens preferring international private insurance.
Assessing Whether You Are Eligible for Health Insurance
Regarding the new legislation, everyone in Dubai, including Emiratis and expats, must have health insurance coverage. EBP or Essentials Benefits Plan (as a part of the legislation) was also developed. This was aimed to assist every expat who earn low salaries. The prime objective was to offer primary healthcare coverage to these expats.
It included coverage for domestic staff, children, and non-working residents. Employers can choose health insurance in dubai plans besides the EBP for employees earning over 4000 dirhams monthly. However, employers cannot pay a lower salary only because they are meeting the threshold for their low-cost coverage. Medical care services like vision or dental care are not included.
Getting Familiar with the Documents Required
Anyone, be it an employee from another country or a resident, is entitled to medical coverage. Employers must offer basic medical insurance to the expats and support others earning lower salaries. For government-run healthcare facilities, one needs to have a health card.
You can apply for it online or in person via the healthcare center. You need documents like passport information, Emirates ID number, residence visa, two passport photos, a photocopy of the tenancy contract, and an application card.
An Overview of Maternity Care for Female Expats
Dubai’s outstanding maternity care alongside female-only medical clinics deserves special mention. Note that public medical insurance does not cover the entire cost. Expats who wish to conceive or have a baby in the city must register with a hospital or clinic of their preference before seven months of pregnancy. That’s when you need your health card, residency visa, passport, marriage certificate, and husband’s details.
So, after reading the expat’s guide to health insurance in dubai, now you know the most important things considering Dubai’s healthcare and insurance policies.