Abu Dhabi 13th December 2006 - The General Authority for Health Service for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi has announced during a press conference held yesterday at its headquarters that the roll-out of Phase 2 of the Health Insurance Scheme will commence on the 1st of January 2007. The second phase of the law will cover residents and visitors who were not included in Phase I. GAHS had also distributed circulars to all involved companies and insurance companies with regards to the registration of the new members.
"The Health Insurance Scheme is one of the most important projects introduced by the Abu Dhabi government, which aims to offer a secure and healthy life for all residents of Abu Dhabi. The roll out of this project coincides with the plan that the government had formulated to improve the standard of living in the capital," said Ibrahim Al Mosa, Director, Finance and Administration at GAHS during the press conference. "GAHS is ready to commence Phase II of the scheme on January 1st 2007 that will include all residents and their dependents that were not covered initially," added Al Mosa.
The second phase of the Health Insurance Scheme will cover all residents working in companies with less than 1000 employees and their dependents, expatriates sponsored by locals, and all residents of the capital. The second phase will also include visitors arriving to Abu Dhabi with visit visas exceeding 2 months.
Insurance companies will begin issuing individual and emergency insurance policies as of 1st January, and will start the registration of all resident expatriates involved in Phase 2 through Basic, Enhanced, and Emergency product policies. Sponsors must obtain Basic product policies for all employees with salaries not exceeding AED 3000 with housing or AED 4000 without housing. Employees earning above that income threshold must hold Enhanced product policies.
GAHS assured that the price of the Basic product policies has been set by the Executive Council to be AED 600 and will cover the following services:
- AED 250,000 maximum health service coverage.
- Geographic coverage within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and emergency coverage only in other emirates.
- 100% Hospital admission coverage provided that admission is in general wards (2+ beds)
Newly arriving expatriates, or residing expatriates who do not hold valid health cards will only be covered for high-cost and pre-existing medical conditions through the Basic product policy after it has been issued for a period 6 months.
Exemptions to the Scheme will be temporarily awarded to holders of valid health cards issued by GAHS or individuals covered by insurance programs other than the one provided by the Authority before January 1st 2007, until the expiry of the card or insurance or for a period of one year, whichever is shorter.
GAHS also clarified that The National Health Insurance Company - Daman is the sole provider of Basic product policies that will be offered for the price of AED 600, but Enhanced and Emergency product policies will be provided by other authorized health insurance companies in addition to Daman.
Issued health insurance policies will be valid for a period of one year, and must be renewed annually, and all authorized insurance companies may not refrain from extending health insurance coverage to any individual or company for any reason. Exemptions not stipulated in the Code of Regulations will not be accepted by GAHS, as will applications for postponement subscription to the Health Insurance Scheme.
GAHS will be responsible for the implementation of the Health Insurance Scheme and will ensure that all parties involved will comply with the Code of Regulations, and that sponsors/employers provide the appropriate health insurance coverage for their employees through authorized insurance companies, healthcare providers, and third part administrators. GAHS will also implement penalties on any violations of the law, and has set up a Complaints Unit, and hired authorized officers to investigate any infringements that occur.
-Ends-
© Press Release 2006
