Employee Relations

UAE’s inclusive health insurance to cover 100% of private sector employees

By Anjum Khan

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has announced a reformed basic health insurance package in collaboration with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security, and the Ministry of Health and Prevention, and various insurance companies in the region.

Who is covered under the UAE’s Health Insurance Scheme?

This package is a part of the Health Insurance Scheme approved by the UAE Cabinet. And all private sector employees as well as, the domestic workers in the region, who until now were not covered under any insurance package are included in the scheme. Notably, the health insurance system was already mandatory in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and now include private sector workers in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah, ensuring that all workers in the UAE are insured, with effect from January 1, 2025. 

What’s included in the UAE’s new Health Insurance Package?

The new Health Insurance Package launched by the UAE offers a competitive price with minimal treatment costs, reducing the financial burden on employers. The cost of this policy is significantly lower than the treatment expenses employers might otherwise incur, leading to considerable savings on operational costs. And additional benefits include: 

  • Validity for two years with refund of second-year premium if the visa of the worker gets cancelled. 
  • Competitive costs of AED320 per year, with no waiting period for workers with chronic illnesses. Covers all individuals aged between 1 to 64 years
  • Individuals over 64 years of age can also avail by providing a complete medical disclosure form along with recent medical reports.
  • For inpatient care (hospitalisation or surgeries), the package covers treatment expenses with a 20 per cent co-payment, capped at AED500 per visit and an annual limit of AED1,000, including medications. In addition to these limits, it also covers 100 per cent of treatment costs. 
  • For outpatient care (medical visits, diagnostic tests, or minor procedures), the co-payment is 25 per cent, with a cap of AED100 per visit. 
  • No co-payment required for follow-up visits within seven days for the same condition,
  • In case of co-payments for medications, the insured person only needs to pay up to 30 per cent of the cost of their medications, while the insurance covers the remaining amount, with an annual limit of AED1,500.
  • Dependents of workers can also access the same benefits and pricing as per the insurance policy.
  • The network includes seven hospitals, 46 clinics and medical centers, and 45 pharmacies. 

Where is the UAE’s new Health Insurance Package available? 

The newly launched health insurance package for private sector workers and domestic workers is available through the DubaiCare Network. And starting January 1, 2025, employers can either purchase it through the DubaiCare Network or other accredited insurance products via channels like the Insurance Pool website, smart apps, and business service centers across the country.

MoHRE requests employers to visit its official website, or the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security, and the Ministry of Health and Prevention websites for more details. 

Speaking on the launch of this new Health Insurance Scheme, H.E. Khalil Al Khoori, Undersecretary of Labour Market and Emiratisation Operations at MoHRE, said: “The Health Insurance Scheme reflects the UAE’s commitment to extending the comprehensive protection system to all workers across the labour market, ensuring a decent life for all by providing access to high-quality healthcare services for private sector employees and domestic workers. The initiative represents another major milestone in the series of accomplishments seen across the UAE labour market.”

He added, “It forms part of a comprehensive vision to expand the integrated social protection umbrella, which includes the Worker Protection Programme, Unemployment Insurance Scheme, and the voluntary alternative end-of-service benefits system known as the ‘Savings Scheme’. These efforts reinforce the commitment to providing a secure, healthy work environment and improving quality of life for all workers. The new scheme in the UAE is poised to have a notable positive impact on the competitiveness of the country’s labour market, improving performance on key indicators related to quality of life, protection of rights, and social and healthcare security. It is also expected to benefit workers and employers by reducing the financial costs associated with medical treatment and unpaid sick leave uninsured workers typically need to take.”

H.E Major General Saeed Salem Balhas Al Shamsi, Acting Director-General of Identity and Foreigners Affairs at the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security, emphasised, “Launching the new basic Health Insurance Scheme for private sector employees and domestic workers is a critical step towards completing the UAE’s health insurance framework and providing healthcare to all groups. This essential step aligns with the wise leadership’s vision to enhance the community’s quality of life, uphold human rights, and ensure healthcare access for all. It is set to boost productivity and support sustainable development while advancing the UAE’s leadership and global competitiveness across international indicators.”

He further added, “The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security is pleased to be playing its part in this plan to enhance the competitiveness and attractiveness of the UAE labour market, by establishing an electronic link with our strategic partners including Ministries, government entities, and private sector institutions – particularly in the insurance industry. The Authority’s role is to verify that workers in the private and business sectors, as well as domestic workers, are covered by insurance before issuing residencies, in an effort to protect workers’ rights and ensure they receive healthcare. This is one of their basic rights, mandated by laws regulating the UAE labour market.”

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H.E Dr. Mohammed Salim Al Olama, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Health and Prevention, also commented, “Launching the Health Insurance Scheme for private sector employees and domestic workers forms part of an integrated framework of national efforts that strive to enhance quality of life in the UAE and ensure the sustainability of healthcare services. The system reflects our commitment at the Ministry of Health and Prevention to enhancing quality and developing a sustainable and inclusive healthcare system. It expands insurance coverage to include groups previously not covered, providing them with access to high-quality health services. The new Scheme will strengthen the health ecosystem, expand the scope of its services to include all groups, and establish a more stable and advanced environment. It will also enhance early disease detection mechanisms, improve preparedness for health emergencies, and support chronic disease prevention, in line with the Ministry’s overarching strategy to establish a preventative and integrated healthcare system through innovative policies, public health programmes, and proactive public health services.” 

“This initiative enhances the outcomes of the ‘Riayati’ platform, the integrated digital healthcare system that forms part of the National Unified Medical Record (NUMR) and Population Health Management projects. Including these groups under insurance coverage serves to expand our national health database, making it more comprehensive and accurate, thereby enhancing our capabilities for health research, strategic planning, and more efficient resource allocation. These efforts contribute towards the integrated development of the healthcare sector, boosting its competitiveness and alignment with the UAE’s goals and priorities,” he underscored. 

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