Starting January 1, 2025, a significant change is reshaping healthcare access across the UAE’s Northern Emirates. Employers in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah must now provide health insurance for their employees before issuing or renewing residency permits.
What About Family Members?
While the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) directive focuses on employee coverage, insurance experts suggest that sponsors will likely need to arrange health insurance for their family members, similar to existing practices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
“Health insurance is essential for sponsors during the visa process of their dependents and families,” explains Neeraj Gupta, CEO of Policybazaar.ae.
Understanding the Basic Insurance Package
The basic health insurance package offers remarkable value at Dh320 per year. Here’s what it includes:
Coverage Details:
- Ages 1-64 covered without medical screening
- Individuals over 64 require medical disclosure and recent reports
- No waiting period for chronic illness treatment
Cost-Sharing Structure:
- Inpatient care: 20% co-payment
- Maximum Dh500 per visit
- Annual cap: Dh1,000 (including medications)
- Insurance covers 100% of costs beyond these limits
Outpatient Services:
- 25% co-payment
- Maximum Dh100 per visit
- No co-payment for follow-ups within seven days
- Medication co-payment: 30%
- Annual medication cap: Dh1,500
Expert Perspectives
Insurance professionals emphasise the accessibility of the new package. “At Dh320, this health insurance package offers essential coverage for visa requirements while providing inpatient and emergency treatment protection,” states Moin ur Rehman, executive director of Unitrust Insurance Broker.
Looking Ahead
By 2025, the UAE aims to achieve universal health insurance coverage, including employees and domestic workers nationwide. This initiative builds upon successful implementations in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, creating a unified approach to healthcare access across all emirates.
For sponsors considering family coverage, experts recommend carefully evaluating whether the basic package meets their family’s comprehensive healthcare needs, as additional coverage options might be beneficial for more extensive medical requirements.
Note: Stay informed about UAE healthcare regulations through official channels and licensed insurance providers.
JobXDubai 
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