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Alternative treatments include homeopathy, ayurveda, and herbal therapy, among others. But are they covered by health insurance in UAE? Read on to learn more about alternative medicine coverage health insurance options.

Health Insurance Coverage for Ayurvedic and Homeopathic Treatments

As the benefits of ayurveda and homeopathy gain more popularity, more people are turning to alternative treatment options. We all know that the UAE is not an exception to this pattern. In this day and age, switching to organic foods and adopting health-conscious choices is common. This has resulted in a growing interest in medicines with fewer side effects than traditional treatment techniques.

Standard therapies are known for producing immediate results, yet they can have a harmful impact on our health. People choose alternative medicines such as ayurveda and homeopathy for several issues, including long-lasting side effects and ineffectiveness in treating viruses and germs. Let’s find more details about alternative healthcare insurance coverage.

What Does "Alternative Medicine" Mean?

Alternative medicine refers to treatments that are used to cure instead of standard methods of treatment. Previously, alternative medicine therapies were not covered by basic health insurance in UAE policies. According to DHA regulations, alternative treatments are covered even under basic health insurance policies in Dubai starting in 2021.

What Alternative Medical Treatments Are Available in the UAE?

Here, we list out the alternative medicine streams in which you can get treatments in the UAE.

• Chinese/Eastern Medicine

• Acupuncture/Chiropractic Medicine

• Homeopathy

• Ayurveda

• Naturopathic Medicine

• Therapeutic Massages

• Osteopathic Medicine

Alternative Medicine Insurance in the UAE

The Essential Benefits Plan, or EBP, is the most basic health insurance plan accessible at affordable rates in Dubai. Mandatory EBP plans were implemented in 2016 to ensure that all residents, employees, their working and non-working dependents, and domestic workers have access to reasonable medical insurance prices.

Because health insurance is required for all citizens, an EBP plan is appropriate for people who earn less than AED 4,000 per month and who cannot afford to cover their families. EBP plans encompass general consultations, referrals to specialist doctors, surgery, lab tests, ER services, checkups, and maternity care at reasonable costs. 

Now, Dubai health insurance plans cover alternative treatments like homeopathy and ayurveda. The annual ceiling for alternative therapy coverage is AED 2500, with a 20% surcharge, which is subject to the insurance policy's specific terms and conditions)

The inclusion of alternative medicine coverage health insurance in EBP plans benefits low-income workers since it allows them to choose from a variety of treatments. Previously, alternative healthcare insurance coverage was only available as an add-on for those who purchased more expensive health insurance plans.

Ayurveda Treatment in UAE

The inclusion of alternative treatments in UAE health insurance coverage has increased the inclusiveness and accessibility of ayurveda to UAE people. Patients can now get ayurveda to treat illnesses at the primary level at reasonable prices. Alternative medicine coverage health insurance covers any treatment or therapy performed by an ayurvedic medical practitioner certified in the UAE. However, not every alternative treatment is covered by health insurance in UAE. Aromatherapy, acupressure, and massages are among those excluded.

Homeopathic Treatments in UAE

Homeopathy has just lately gained recognition as a licensed treatment modality. According to DHA sources, over 15,000 people seek alternative treatment facilities in the UAE each year. Homeopathy is a natural treatment method that tries to boost your immune system by using herbal extracts. It is an alternate treatment to the traditional usage of antibiotics to treat infections.

Acupuncture and Chiropractic Treatments in the UAE

Acupuncture is a well-known alternative treatment procedure that relieves stiffness and pain by relaxing muscles and boosting blood circulation. This alternative treatment is prominent in the UAE since it is painless and provides fast results. Acupuncture is the practice of stimulating specific pressure points on the body to help stiff muscles relax.

Chiropractic treatment is another alternative treatment option in the UAE. It is used to rectify skeletal alignment by focusing on the bones and joints of the body. Chiropractors help to enhance posture and relieve stress on the nerve and muscular systems. 

As individuals become more conscious of the impact of medicine and food on their bodies, they turn to alternative medicine. It can be useful in treating a wide range of conditions, and many doctors now prescribe it to their patients.

Alternative treatments provide patients with more flexibility. Chiropractors and other alternative medicine practitioners frequently change their treatment plans in response to lifestyle changes, whereas mainstream medical doctors do not.

Health insurance in UAE plans can help you protect your money against the high costs of medical treatment. Several health insurance plans in the UAE cover alternative medicines as treatment. Contact your insurance broker or provider to learn more about the alternative healthcare insurance coverage add-ons in your insurance plan and the amount of coverage you get. Contact us now for all of your health insurance requirements! We are ready to help you with the most suitable and affordable alternative medicine coverage health insurance options.