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Today, when the world is trying to escape from various ailments by keeping ourselves perfectly covered in the chilly winters, or saving ourselves from the heat strokes from the fiery summers of UAE, we are forgetting about the small and big illnesses that could come across our everyday lives. One such ailment that we leave behind without giving much attention is the various types of skin diseases. With the extreme climatic and environmental conditions, skin diseases are one of the most common health conditions that are seen in the UAE.

Getting affected by these skin conditions can lead to huge medical bills, but there is a common question that arises at this point - Can the health insurance policy in UAE cover the dermatology treatments and their bills?

Let's see the basic terms and conditions for covering those expenses:

Can Health Insurance Policies in UAE cover Dermatology bills?

The answer is YES, the health insurance in UAE covers dermatology expenses according to the case. Even though the base rule of dermatology is "Anything considered medically imperative will be covered by health insurance policies under dermatology treatments", it could be different according to your plan - which means not all dermatology treatments are covered by the insurance. It is best to understand the terms and conditions of the policy from the service providers regarding the policy for knowing the exact benefits of dermatology treatments.

Is a referral from our dermatologist necessary?

Yes. A referral from our dermatologist is necessary for receiving the benefits of your health insurance plan. It is because the dermatologists are from the specialist category and several health insurance policies require a referral from the primary health care physician. This is usually the case when your health insurance plan requires you to select a PCP from a list of network providers. Even though you are not required to select a primary care physician as part of your health insurance coverage, treatments, and benefits connected to dermatology may require a referral from a primary care physician of your preference. This phrase is frequently highlighted in your plan's policy wordings as well. It is located in the specialist consultation area.

Are there any General Exclusions for Dermatology in Health Insurance?

Cosmetic surgeries and their treatment procedures are generally excluded from health insurance, as any skincare treatment that is executed to improve aesthetics is considered a cosmetic treatment. Since the skin condition involved is not affecting the person's health directly or indirectly, the insurance policies do not cover those treatments.

How to  File a Claim for Dermatology Treatment?

One can claim for dermatology as both direct claims or as reimbursement claims. Direct claims can be submitted for cashless treatments at the time of surgery with prior approvals. You need to go through the terms and conditions of your policy for understanding the process of direct claim.

Reimbursement claims are sent once you have completed the operation. There is a deadline for filing reimbursement claims. It might last anywhere from 30 to 180 days. Check the deadline and submit the refund form as soon as possible. The form can be obtained directly from the provider. Fill it out, attach any required documents, and submit it using the available channels. Your consultation records, doctor's record, lab tests and other condition reports, payment receipts for each service claimed on the form, and any explicitly required written verification by the provider are examples of papers that may be sought.

Skincare treatments are usually covered under your standard health insurance coverage if they are medically required. Even the most comprehensive plans are unlikely to cover aesthetic treatments and surgeries unless specifically stated. To obtain the greatest available health insurance coverage for your circumstances, you must thoroughly compare your alternatives.