25 firms fined for violating Dubai health insurance law

Twenty-five health centres, clinics, insurance brokers and insurance companies have been fined between Dh10,000 and Dh80,000 for violating Dubai's health insurance law. Six clinics have been referred to the public prosecution for potential fraudulent activities.
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) revealed that the violations were found during surprise and routine inspections conducted by the authority's health funding department and complaints from members.
Dr Haidar Al Yousef, director of the health funding department, said: "Some healthcare providers and insurers did not comply completely with the health insurance law and circulars issued by the health funding department. We observed this through inspection visits, compliance meetings as well as complaints received from different parties involved in the system. Therefore, we have resorted to fining them to avoid such acts in the future."
Dr Al Yousef said that violating facilities received a warning that was followed by a fine and some were even referred to the prosecution and might face criminal charges due to potential fraudulent activities.
The fines ranged between Dh10,000 and Dh80,000 based on the violation and the number of times repeated, in line with Law No. 7 of 2016 issued by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council. The law aims to protect the rights of individuals by ensuring they are covered by the health insurance.
Employers and sponsors who fail to provide mandatory health insurance cover are now liable to a fine of Dh500 per month. Apart from the fine, no new visa will be granted and no existing visas renewed without health insurance, according to the DHA.
asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com