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Wider health insurance cover for Sharjah govt employees

The local employees and their dependents will be entitled to full health cover regardless of their official grades and positions. Expatriates will be given a wider network option, but only as per their existing grading system, a senior health official told Khaleej Times on Tuesday.

The new scheme replaces one that was introduced in October 2012 and covers 25,514 beneficiaries. It also covers treatment of emergency cases worldwide.

The Sharjah Health Authority (SHA) has asked government departments to replace the old insurance cards with the new ones beginning next week. “The new system will be effective from June 1 and old insurance cards will be invalid after May 31,” said Dr Abdelaziz Almeheiri, Director of the Health Regulatory Department. “Employees will also be able to use the cards in other emirates as the network has been expanded,” he said.

“We have discussed various aspects of the new health insurance scheme with directors and employees of Sharjah government and are ready to respond to any enquiries and suggestions.”

The SHA has also asked employees not to use old health cards after May 31 as the cost of treatment would be charged to the user. “The aim of this change is to boost employees’ sense of belonging within the workplace, stimulate them to exert greater efforts, and ensure they and their families have peace of mind,” said SHA chairman Abdulla Ali Al Mahyan.

“The new scheme also helps increase investment opportunities in the healthcare sector in Sharjah,” he added. The scheme will encourage investment in the healthcare sector by giving priority to Sharjah-based healthcare providers when it comes to being listed in the healthcare network, he said. Health Insurance Department director Amal Al Qatari said: “SHA will accelerate implementation of the new insurance system to cover all beneficiaries.”

The health insurance also covers retired Emirati employees and spouses, widows of retired employees and all children as per the family record. For expatriates, the health insurance covers male employees, wives and three children below 18, or the female employee only.