Web Desk — Starting January 1, 2025, all private sector employees and domestic workers in the UAE are required by law to have basic health insurance coverage. This major policy shift primarily affects workers in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) announced that the mandatory health insurance policy now extends across all emirates. This decision, made in collaboration with other government agencies in December 2024, aims to guarantee basic healthcare access for all workers in the UAE.

For a clear understanding of the new policy, its benefits, and exclusions, here is a breakdown of how it impacts workers in the UAE.

Who is responsible for the insurance?

Employers are tasked with purchasing the health insurance policy for their employees. This insurance is necessary for issuing or renewing residency permits through the DubaiCare Network or other approved providers. Workers with valid work permits issued before January 1, 2025, are exempt from this requirement unless they renew their residency permits.

Basic Workers Health Insurance (WIH) in the UAE

The employee health insurance plan is called Workers’ Health Insurance (WIH) and can be obtained from the DubaiCare network by Dubai Insurance.

Who is excluded from coverage?

This mandatory health insurance applies only to workers in the Northern Emirates (Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Umm Al Quwain). It does not extend to Abu Dhabi and Dubai workers, where health insurance has already been mandatory.

Coverage for Family Members

Workers’ dependent family members can also be added to the health insurance plan, with the same benefits and pricing. For child-only policies, proof of the parent’s insurance is required. For dependents over 64, a medical application form must be submitted, including recent medical reports and prescriptions.

To obtain insurance for dependents, the insured worker and sponsor must provide copies of their passports, visa pages, and Emirates IDs.

Coverage for Medicines, Treatments, Examinations, and Tests

Inpatient services: Non-urgent tests, diagnosis, treatments, and surgeries are covered, with 20% co-insurance payable by the insured, capped at AED 500 per visit and AED 1,000 annually. The insurer covers 100% of costs exceeding these limits.
Outpatient services: Examinations, diagnoses, and treatments are subject to 25% co-insurance per visit, up to AED 100. No co-insurance is required for follow-up visits within seven days for the same illness.
Laboratory tests: Covered with 25% co-insurance.
Physiotherapy: Covered up to a maximum of six sessions (prior insurer approval required).
Drugs and medicines: Covered up to AED 1,500 with 30% co-insurance.

Telehealth services are also included in the coverage.

Exclusions from Basic Workers’ Health Insurance

The policy does not cover:

Pregnancy and childbirth
Dental care
Hearing and vision aids, and corrective vision surgeries/laser
Smoking cessation programs and nicotine addiction treatment
Cosmetic healthcare
Obesity treatments (surgical and non-surgical)
Mental health disorders (outpatient and inpatient), except in emergencies

For more information on the terms and conditions of the basic health insurance policy, visit the official website of Workers Health Insurance at www.whi.ae.

Source: Gulf News