Fines are being imposed on companies and individuals who are still not covered by the mandatory health insurance, Dubai Health Authority (DHA) revealed.
DHA announced earlier that while 99 per cent — 4.3 million people — of the targeted population are already covered, there are still sponsors and business owners who have not yet covered their employees and dependents.
The Dubai Health Insurance Law No. 11 of 2013 was adopted under the directives of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
According to the law, which came into effect in January 2014, the legal liability for every sponsor is to provide an essential benefits plan insurance package — ranging between Dh550 and Dh750.
Penalties in place
Dr Haidar Al Yousuf, Director of Health Funding at DHA, said that fines have already been rolled out to violating individuals and business since April 1.
“The fine will be imposed on the sponsors and the employers and not the employees. It will be added to the visa renewal and cancellation fees of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.”
Dubai residents who fail to secure mandatory health insurance cover will face a fine of Dh500 per month. Apart from the fine, no new visa will be granted and no existing visas renewed without health insurance, according to DHA.
A total of 12 insurance companies provide the Essential Benefits Plan insurance package, ranging between Dh550 to Dh750, so that those with salaries under Dh4,000 receive adequate cover.
The 12 companies that provide the essential benefits plan package include: Noor Takaful Insurance, Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company, Union Insurance, Axa Gulf Insurance, Takaful Emarat, Dar Al Takaful, Orient Insurance, Ras Al Khaimah Insurance Company, Daman Health Insurance, Oman Insurance Company, Metlife and National General Insurance.
Dr Al Yousuf said the essential benefits plan package covers many services that include maternity, emergency, medical tests, referrals as well as medication.
He added that the essential benefits plan package ranges from Dh550-750 per year with an average of Dh584, which is 5 per cent lower than the average last year.
New deadline passed
Meanwhile the family packages start from Dh650 and elderly packages start from Dh2,500 per year.
Dr Al Yousuf advised those wishing to seek health insurance to read the health insurance policy and learn about the clinics covered in order to benefit from the insurance as much as possible.
The deadline for Phase I, which covered companies with 1,000 or more employees, ended on October 31, 2014. Similarly, the deadline for Phase 2 (covering all companies with 100-999 employees) ended on July 31, 2015. Phase 3, which covered companies with 100 or less employees and includes every resident, including domestic workers and dependents of employees, ended on June 30, 2016.
However, owing to delays and massive number of applications, the deadline was extended up to December 2016. The new deadline, issued by the Executive Council Resolution, stipulates that all residents must have had health insurance cover by March 31, 2017.
To learn more about DHA-authorised providers, the rules, regulations, prices and insurance providers, visit Isahd.ae
