What Happens to Your Health Insurance If You Lose Your Job in Dubai?
Losing your job in Dubai means your employer-provided health insurance coverage will end. Some companies may offer grace periods of 30 days or more to allow you to find and secure your new health insurance plan for Dubai.
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Are you an expat working in Dubai and want to know more about health insurance options after a job loss? The insurance experts at Pacific Prime wrote this article to help expats and digital nomads learn more about their options for health insurance in Dubai.
We’ll explain what happens to health insurance coverage after you lose your job in Dubai along with tips for securing a new health insurance plan. Keep reading, or click here for a free health insurance quote!
Your Health Insurance Status After Job Loss in Dubai
Your health insurance status after a job loss will depend on your specific employment contract. Employer-provided health insurance typically will end with the termination of the employment contract, but some companies offer grace periods after job termination.
These grace periods can last from 30 to 60 days, giving you time to secure a new health insurance plan to avoid paying fines for not following health insurance requirements in Dubai. Not every employer offers these grace periods, so check with your Human Resources department.
Health Insurance Laws in Dubai for Working Expats
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) requires all residents in Dubai to be covered by a health insurance policy. Expats working for Dubai companies will have their health insurance plans provided by their employer.
Dubai employers are required by law to offer at least the minimum health insurance coverage outlined by the Dubai Health Authority, which includes the following:
- An annual overall limit of at least AED 150,000 (around EUR 34,908)
- Emergency medical treatment coverage
- Inpatient and outpatient care coverage
- Newborn care coverage
- Maternity services
- Coverage for pre-existing conditions
Dependants of expats are also required to have coverage, but employers are not required to insure employees’ dependents. It is the employee’s responsibility to ensure their dependents have health insurance.
Expats who don’t work for a Dubai employer or who are self-employed will need to purchase their own private health insurance plans.
Consequences for not Following Health Insurance Laws
If your health insurance expires while you are in Dubai and you don’t renew it, you can face fines and legal ramifications. Working expats in Dubai will need to ensure they get another health insurance plan quickly after a job loss to avoid these penalties.
Without this mandatory coverage, working expats in Dubai could be at risk of their residence visa not being renewed. Penalties for not following this law can also include fines of around AED 500 (around USD $136) per month per uninsured person.
Health Insurance Options After Job Loss
Expats working in Dubai have the option to purchase their own private health insurance to cover themselves after losing employment. They can choose short-term health insurance plans that provide coverage until they find new employment or choose long-term plans for maximum coverage.
Expats can purchase private health insurance plans from local or international health insurance providers. Local health insurance plans only cover expats within the boundaries of Dubai or the emirates, while international plans are globally portable and often have higher annual limits.
Expats who plan to travel outside of Dubai and the UAE are often recommended to purchase international health insurance plans. International health insurance is available for individuals and families, so expats can insure any of their dependents.
Best Health Insurance Plans for Expats in Dubai
The best health insurance plans for expats in Dubai are provided through Cigna Global, GIG Gulf, Sukoon and Bupa, and Allianz Care and Orient Insurance. Expats who have lost their employer-provided health insurance will find these plans provide comprehensive coverage.
Cigna Global Plans in Dubai for Expats
Cigna Global provides specialized coverage for Dubai through its Cigna Healthguard℠ plans. These come in varying levels of annual benefit limits, offer emergency care benefits, and were designed to comply with the Dubai Health Authority’s minimum requirements for healthcare coverage.
Expats can choose between three Cigna Healthguard℠ plans: Regional, International, and International Plus. The Regional plan only covers expats within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, other Middle East countries, and Asia (excluding Singapore, Hong Kong, and China).
The International and International Plus plans provide worldwide coverage (excluding the USA, unless you pay for a premium increase). The International Plus plan offers the most comprehensive coverage to expats in Dubai, with an unlimited annual benefit maximum.
Some of the benefits included with Cigna’s plans are:
- Inpatient and outpatient services
- Emergency medical treatment benefits
- Coverage for pre-existing and chronic conditions
- Mental health services
- Rehabilitation and physiotherapy
- Preventive care
GIG Gulf Plans in Dubai for Expats
Gulf Insurance Group (GIG) is a leading insurer in the Middle East that provides health insurance plans that comply with Dubai Health Authority standards. They offer both local and regional geographical coverage, so expats can travel across the emirates.
Their local expertise and knowledge can make them a valuable insurance provider to expats in Dubai. Their network of providers includes top-quality hospitals and clinics in Dubai.
Sukoon and Bupa Plans in Dubai for Expats
Bupa Global partners with Sukoon Insurance to provide Dubai Health Authority-compliant plans to expats in Dubai and the UAE. They provide four health insurance plans: Select, Premier, Elite, and Ultimate.
- Select Plan: Provides geographical coverage in Dubai and surrounding Middle Eastern countries, with an option to upgrade to worldwide coverage (excludes the US). This plan has an overall annual limit of AED 4,670,000 (around USD $1,271,440).
- Premier Plan: Provides worldwide geographical coverage, excluding the US. It also has the same annual limit as the Select plan, of AED 4,670,000 (around USD $1,271,440).
- Elite Plan: Provides more comprehensive benefits than the Select and Premier plans. It offers worldwide coverage that includes the US and an annual limit of AED 14,019,000 (around USD $3,816,770).
- Ultimate Plan: Provides the most comprehensive benefits of the health insurance plans offered by Bupa and Sukoon Insurance, with an unlimited annual limit. This plan also comes with worldwide coverage that includes the US.
Allianz Care and Orient Insurance for Expats in Dubai
Allianz Care is a top international health insurance provider that has partnered with the more local Orient Insurance to offer DHA-compliant health insurance plans for expats looking for emergency care coverage and other important benefits.
Allianz Care and Orient Insurance provide three customizable plans:
- Dubai Elite Individual Plan: The most comprehensive plan, with an annual maximum limit of USD $10,500,000 (around AED 38,566,500).
- Dubai Prime Individual Plan: Offers an annual maximum limit of USD $4,000,000 (around AED 14,692,000).
- Dubai Select Individual Plan: The most basic of Allianz and Orient’s plans, with an annual maximum limit of USD $1,750,000 (around AED 6,427,750).
These plans vary in terms of their annual maximum limits and benefit details, but each plan provides emergency care coverage. They also include other benefits like coverage for pre-existing conditions, inpatient and day hospital care, maternity services, outpatient care, and psychiatric services.
Expats can choose to add dental, enhanced maternity coverage, and repatriation riders to their coverage package. Allianz and Orient also provide the following global health services to their members:
- Expat Assistance Program (EAP)
- Travel security services
- Olive Health & Wellness Support Program
- MyHealth Digital Services
- Second medical opinion services
Cost of Private Health Insurance in Dubai
The cost of private health insurance varies in Dubai, but expats can expect to pay an average of USD $5,896 annually for an individual health insurance plan. Average annual family health insurance plans in Dubai are priced around USD $17,670.
Dubai and the rest of the UAE have seen health insurance premiums rise due to a variety of factors, such as general inflation and improved medical technology. The exact cost of health insurance in Dubai for expats will vary depending on the plan chosen and the provider.
To learn more about the cost of family and individual health insurance premiums across the globe, download the Pacific Prime Cost of International Health Insurance Report here!
Tips For Lowering Health Insurance Premiums in Dubai
Expats in Dubai can help keep their health insurance premiums affordable by comparing a variety of plans from different providers, customizing their coverage, choosing a high-deductible plan, and consulting with an insurance broker. We’ll explain more about these tips below.
- Compare a Variety of Plans from Different Providers: When comparing separate plans, make sure you analyze the geographical coverage, annual limits, benefits covered, and exclusions. Comparing plans can help you find the most affordable option that suits your health insurance needs.
- Customize Your Health Insurance Coverage: While Dubai Health Authority laws require you to buy at least the standardized basic coverage, you can still customize any additional benefits to ensure that you are only paying for what you need.
- Choose a High-Deductible Health Insurance Plan: Choosing a high-deductible plan can lower your annual or monthly premium. With a high-deductible plan, the insurance company will pay less upfront and shift more of the financial risk to the policyholder.
- Consult with an Insurance Broker: Consulting with an insurance broker can help expats make the best choice for their health insurance plans by expediting the process and adding valuable support.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Will my health insurance be cancelled if I lose my job in Dubai?
Employer-provided health insurance coverage will be cancelled along with the job contract in most cases. Some employers may offer a 30 day to 60 day grace period, allowing ex-employees time to find a new health insurance policy before their current health insurance coverage ends.
How do I get health insurance without a job in Dubai?
Expats without a job in Dubai can secure health insurance in Dubai by purchasing private health insurance from a local or international health insurance provider. You can purchase short-term health insurance to cover you until you find another job in Dubai or purchase a long-term plan.
How can I find an affordable health insurance plan in Dubai?
You can find affordable health insurance in Dubai by searching for more basic health insurance coverage. Look for plans that meet the minimum health insurance requirements set by the Dubai Health Authority, avoiding the more comprehensive plans with higher annual limits.
Conclusion
Expats who lose their jobs in Dubai will also lose their employer-provided health insurance plan. Some employers will provide a grace period for health insurance coverage. Expats can purchase short-term private health insurance to keep them compliant with local laws until they find another job.
Do you need private health insurance after a job loss in Dubai? Let the insurance experts at Pacific Prime help. Pacific Prime is partnered with a wide variety of global health insurance providers who provide plans in Dubai, and can help you find the best fit for your needs.
We are a global health insurance broker who specializes in expat health insurance and can offer a wealth of professional expertise and services. Our tailor-made policies suit every budget and health care need for working expats and digital nomads across the world.
Contact Pacific Prime to discuss, free of charge, a range of health insurance plans available for you and your loved ones in Dubai. To get a no-obligation, free price comparison quote, visit our website today!
Interested in reading more articles for expats in Dubai? Check out our following blog posts:
- Employer-Sponsored vs Private Health Insurance in Dubai
- How Much a Doctor Visit Costs in Dubai With No Insurance
Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
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