Remarkable Healthcare Insurance Policy of UAE – A Guide to Employers

1. Remarkable Healthcare Insurance Policy of UAE – A Guide to Employers United Arab Emiratization has the integrated governmental policy system which entitles the success for demand generation of the labor market. In concurrent with the policy programs, UAE has the strategic partnership with the private sectors to create the ideal and stabilized sector for employment. Since the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization is an integral part of it, it takes care of the organizing and monitoring part of the labor market for both domestic and international employees. Hence, the fully functional ministry extends its expertise in creating a safe and secured infrastructure to attract the knowledge economy pool. Steps taken to assure the security by delivering various services such as health insurance for working community, health for vulnerable groups, healthcare providers, briefing about the patients’ rights and responsibilities, measures for combating the existing communicable diseases and in overall covering all the healthcare facilities, emergency services, several healthcare insurance policies. Due to the existing COVID-19 pandemic, every business is stepping forward to meet the safe ‘New Normal’ with 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 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 with respect to their business size. Instead of maintaining a bank guarantee of AED 3,000 with the Ministry of Human Resource and Emiratization, all the employers will be given an option to opt for buying employee insurance. On October 15, 2018, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (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, the employer must 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 in the health care of the employee will lead you to so many non-calculated expenses. Healthcare Laws in Various Emirates The health insurance system in UAE differs based on every emirate. 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. The name of the program and the benefits of it might be slightly vary based on the country. Let’s investigate the brief.

2. 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 program 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 all types of health insurance policies unless it is explicitly stated in the policy. Insurance companies remain liable for the necessary health insurance to ensure the best services are 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 meets 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 program, got everything else covered under the ‘Saada’ program. 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 are 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 the 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 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!

3. 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 could 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 the best practices of the medical insurance management system. Reach out to us right here in this HRBluSky. FAQs Does the Employer have Medical Cover for Lower Salary Band (LSB) Employees in Dubai? Employees earning gross monthly salary of 4000AED are categorized as Lower Salary Band employees. Employers can choose the level of benefits of the LSB employee but cannot deny the coverage. Either the sponsor or the employer should always have Essential Basic Plan (EBP) coverage. Where can Employers Buy Health Insurance in Dubai? An employer requests 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 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 a facility, an employer has the possibility to choose the option, but they might require a contribution from the employee.