Payment by this new system will simplify the payment process, encourages administrative efficiency, and basis payments on patient acuity and hospital resources rather than length of stay

Dubai, UAE, December 6, 2016

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) announced that it will be adopting a new health insurance payment system that will improve transparency and quality of healthcare services in the emirate of Dubai.

His Excellency Humaid Al Qatami, Chairman of the Board and Director General of DHA announced that the executive council has approved the implementation of International Refined Diagnosis-Related Group (IR DRG) under resolution No. 21 of 2016 in line with the launch of the third and last phase of the health insurance system ‘Isahd’ (Happiness).
Payment by this new system will simplify the payment process, encourages administrative efficiency, and basis payments on patient acuity and hospital resources rather than length of stay.
Al Qatami said this step is important to develop health services in Dubai as adopting such a clear pricing method allows hospitals and clinics to provide fair prices it also allows for investment opportunities based on set standards. He added that the executive council decided to adopt the new system after holding a series of meetings with insurance provides and after studying its benefits for two years and benchmarking with best international practices.
Dr Haidar Al Yousef, Director of the Health Funding at DHA said the new system also adopts a a statistical system of classifying any inpatient stay into groups for the purposes of payment. The DRG classification system divides possible diagnoses for the purpose of reimbursement with built in incentives for higher quality providers.

It also has a medical inflation indicator that caters to increases in cost for the medical sector in collaboration with the Dubai Statistic Center, which can produce indicators of inflation particular to health.
Dr Haidar said the new system will be implemented within three years starting 2017 and ending in 2019, in order for the hospitals and clinics to adopt the new system under Esaad seamlessly.
The pilot phase with shadow billing will begin in 2017 for hospital accommodation only, and will last till the end of 2017.
At the beginning of 2018, all services will be included and the pilot phase for outpatient clinics will began, so that in 2019 the system will be implemented in full effect.
Dr Al Yousuf said the system was chosen after an number of evaluations, which proved that it can use the authority’s unified data system.
DHA organized a workshop yesterday in partnership with all the concerned parties and strategic partners to familiarize them with the new payment system.

-Ends-

For further information, please contact:
Mahmoud Al Ali 
Head of Media
Dubai Health Authority 
myalali@dha.gov.ae
+9714 219 7260

Kamakshi Gupta and Noor Nazzal
Communications Analysts- Media Dept.
Dubai Health Authority 
Klgupta@dha.gov.ae  
NNNazzal@dha.gov.ae
+9714 2197455

About the Dubai Health Authority: 
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) was created, in June 2007, by Law 13 issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, with an expanded vision to include strategic oversight for the complete health sector in Dubai and enhance private sector engagement. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance is the President of the DHA and His Excellency Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qatami is the Chairman of the Board and Director-General of the DHA.

The DHA’s aim in Dubai is to provide an accessible, effective and integrated healthcare system, protect public health and improve the quality of life within the Emirate. This is a direct translation of the objectives of the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Keeping the strategic plan in mind, the DHA’s mission is to ensure access to health services, maintain and improve the quality of these services, improve the health status of nationals, residents and visitors and oversee a dynamic, efficient and innovative health sector.

In addition to overseeing the health sector for the Emirate of Dubai, the DHA also focuses on providing services through DHA healthcare facilities including hospitals (Latifa, Dubai, Rashid and Hatta), specialty centres (e.g. the Dubai Diabetes Center) and DHA primary health centres spread throughout the Emirate of Dubai.

The main pillars of service delivery at DHA health facilities are quality, efficiency, patients and staff.  It is our aim to maintain and improve the quality and efficiency of DHA health services. An important aspect of the service delivery strategy is to focus on patients, their needs and satisfaction as well as attract, retain, nurture and support outstanding staff.

Prior to the establishment of the DHA, the Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS), which was established in 1973, was the functioning authority that almost exclusively focused on health service delivery.

© Press Release 2016