Six insurance firms for Phase 1

18 June 2006

Abu Dhabi: The General Authority for Health Services (GAHS) in Abu Dhabi has approved six health insurance providers for private and public sector organisations for the forthcoming health insurance scheme.

The scheme will be implemented on July 1.

Daman has been appointed the authorised health insurance provider for all public sector organisations, while five companies have been approved by the GAHS for private sector companies Al Mashreq Al Arabi Insurance Company, Al Dhafra Insurance Company, Oman Insurance Company, Al Buhaira National Insurance Company, and Al Wathba National Insurance Company.

Penalties will be given to companies who do not apply the law, as described by the health insurance plan by-law which was approved by the Executive Council.

The minimum health insurance package costs Dh600. The package covers outpatient and inpatient costs, emergency services, as well as some chronic diseases.

The first is low-income residents and their dependents, as well as those whose monthly salaries are less than Dh3,000 with accommodation. The second category are those with salary of Dh4,000 without accommodation. The third policy is for emergencies.

Healthcare cover optional for nationals

The health insurance law, Abu Dhabi Law No. 23 of 2005, was approved by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

According to the law, the General Authority of Health Services will put into practice the necessary policies and procedures to ensure the implementation of the health insurance law and its bylaws.

The health insurance system is optional for UAE nationals, non-UAE national women married to UAE nationals, and children of national women married to non-UAE nationals, GCC nationals and holders of the UAE citizenship.

The health insurance by-law classifies policy holders into three categories. Beneficiaries include those who come to the emirate on a visit visa.