MoHRE launches affordable health insurance

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has introduced a new basic health insurance package for private sector employees and domestic workers across the UAE, aimed at providing healthcare coverage to those not yet insured.

This initiative, in collaboration with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security, and the Ministry of Health and Prevention, is part of the Health Insurance Scheme approved by the UAE Cabinet.

The scheme, effective from 1 January 2025, will extend coverage to workers in the emirates of Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah, ensuring that 100% of workers in the UAE will be covered by insurance.

MoHRE launches a basic health insurance package for private sector employees and domestic workers across the UAE who are not currently covered by any insurance, starting from 1 January 2025, as part of the Health Insurance Scheme approved by the UAE Cabinet.

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This builds on the already mandatory health insurance system in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, which covers private sector employees and domestic workers.

Employers will be required to purchase the new health insurance policy as a prerequisite for issuing or renewing residency permits. However, this mandate will apply only when residency permits are due for renewal, not for work permits issued before 1 January 2024.

His Excellency Khalil Al Khoori, Undersecretary of Labour Market and Emiratisation Operations at MoHRE, emphasised the health insurance initiative’s role in the UAE's commitment to providing comprehensive protection to all workers. "This initiative reflects the UAE’s vision of extending social protection across the labour market, improving quality of life, and ensuring workers' access to high-quality healthcare," he stated.

The health insurance system will help reduce financial burdens on employers, with competitive pricing and reduced treatment costs compared to uninsured workers.

The basic health insurance package costs AED 320 per year, covering employees aged 1 to 64 years. It offers coverage for both inpatient and outpatient treatments, with minimal co-payments, and includes benefits for dependents.

The newly introduced insurance package, available through the DubaiCare Network, includes coverage at seven hospitals, 46 clinics, and 45 pharmacies.

Employers can purchase the insurance package through various channels, including the Insurance Pool website, smart applications, and business service centres.

This initiative forms part of broader efforts to enhance the UAE’s labour market competitiveness and ensure a healthier, more secure environment for all workers, reinforcing the country's global leadership in social protection and healthcare.