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Expats need to give confirmation of health insurance in UAE to get a residency visa. On the other hand, Emirati nationals must pay for public and private health insurance. Whether you're moving to or already live in the UAE, we'll keep you up to date on the differences between public and private healthcare in the UAE, as well as which is best for you.

UAE Public Hospitals

The public healthcare in the UAE system primarily serves UAE citizens. The government manages the system centrally. Public hospitals are classified into several categories of care based on their location and the number of people they are mandated to serve. One interesting element of UAE public hospitals is that they are the sole source of care in some communities for complex crises or trauma.

Long wait times are common at public hospitals in the UAE, as locals freely use them, often resulting in packed waiting rooms. Also, don't be shocked if these clinics lack the necessary language support to effectively communicate with foreign patients. While English is frequently spoken, visitors from outside the UAE who do not speak English may have difficulty connecting with hospital workers.

UAE Private Hospitals

Currently, the UAE has more private hospitals than public ones. Perhaps this is related to the ongoing privatization of healthcare via required health insurance in UAE systems across many emirates. Furthermore, the sheer number of expats living here has resulted in a large population that lacks access to the publicly subsidized healthcare to which Emirati citizens are entitled.

The standards of medical care in the UAE, particularly private healthcare, vary by location. People looking for the greatest care can visit the most advanced hospitals in the country's most developed cities. Of course, the cost of care in such facilities may be significantly higher than in other hospitals. If you wish to be able to pay the very high costs seen at the UAE's private hospitals, you should have a comprehensive health insurance plan set up while you are there.

The UAE Healthcare Comparison of Costs

Private healthcare in the UAE has higher treatment costs than public healthcare in the UAE. However, as a result of regulatory changes, the cost of some treatments has been reduced to only a fraction of that of public healthcare in the UAE. 

It is worth noting that various surgical procedures cost significantly less in UAE emirates such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi than in Western countries. Aside from being less expensive than many Western countries, the UAE also has reduced costs for several surgical procedures. Lower overhead is one reason why treatments can cost one-fourth as much as in the US or the UK. Non-medical staff, land, and construction are substantially less expensive, so treatment expenses are often lower as well.

Compulsory Insurance in the UAE

While most emirates provide some subsidized public healthcare in the UAE and leave it up to individuals and employers to decide whether or not to get private health insurance to cover medical costs, the two largest emirates, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, now require residents to have private health insurance or face repercussions.

Currently, not having health insurance in UAE in these areas results in fines and/or visa denial. Even visitors to Dubai must have appropriate health insurance in place before arriving, or they risk being denied entry. Not any health insurance plan will suffice, either. Both Dubai and Abu Dhabi have specified the standards that a proposal must achieve in order to comply with their separate regulations.

There are also more standards that must be met, like coverage for maternity and pre-existing conditions, so consult with a qualified insurance agent if you decide to purchase insurance for entry into Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

How to Register for Healthcare

If you do not have a corporate health plan, you must apply for a health card with the Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS). This will pay medical bills in public hospitals. When you apply for one, you will be given several documents, including a copy of your passport, a cover letter from a sponsor, a visa application copy, two passport-size photographs, and a completed application form. The cost ranges from AED 100 ($27) for children under the age of nine to AED 300 ($82) for those over 18.

If you prefer private hospitals to public hospitals, we propose that you have health insurance to get better and more specialized care. However, having a health card is beneficial because public hospitals are less expensive.

UAE Insurance for Medical Tourists and Expats

The UAE is not only home to a significant expat community, but it is also a prominent medical tourism destination in the Middle East. With some of the most advanced hospitals in the region, individuals from all over the world choose Dubai and Abu Dhabi for elective or non-emergency medical care.

For many people, moving to a new country or traveling for medical care prevents them from using their current health insurance plan at home. However, international health insurance plans cover the price of medical care in almost any country or hospital around the globe. Furthermore, these plans are entirely mobile, so no matter where in the globe you move, you may keep your health insurance plan and avoid losing coverage for any issues that arise while you are on it. 

In this UAE healthcare comparison guide, we explained everything that a person with such intentions should know. We hope you got the idea and clear difference between public and private healthcare in the UAE. Talk to our experts today for the right quote and purchase.