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Does your Abu Dhabi health insurance policy cover Dubai too?

In the event of any violations, you may approach the General Authority for Health Services in the Emirates of Abu Dhabi.

Q-I work for an Abu Dhabi-based entity which has branches in Dubai and Ajman. My employment visa is issued from Abu Dhabi, and my health insurance coverage is limited within Abu Dhabi. I am currently working at the Dubai branch of my employer, and therefore, I had requested the company to provide an insurance policy that covers health costs in Dubai, to which they have not agreed. I want to know my rights for getting a health insurance in Dubai.
Answer
In view of your facts it may be noted that, in Abu Dhabi, employers and sponsors are responsible for providing health insurance coverage for their employees and their families (one spouse and three children under 18 years). The Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD) is the regulator of the healthcare sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. And the matters related to health insurance in Abu Dhabi are regulated by "Law No. (23) of 2005 and the executive regulations regarding the health insurance scheme for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi" (hereinafter called the 'Insurance Law').
Article 5 of the Insurance Law states:
"Every employer shall provide health insurance coverage for all his employees/workers and their family members covering the employee's/worker's wife and three children under 18 years of age. Every sponsor shall subscribe to the scheme for any person under his sponsorship from the date of his arrival in the State unless such person is entitled for health insurance coverage by an employer. Expatriates may not be employed, issued residence permits nor have their existing permits renewed unless they are subscribed to the health insurance scheme."
Further, under Schedule No. 1 of the Insurance Law, the 'Basic Health Care Services' that are covered under the Basic Health Insurance Policy are set forth. It may also be noted that the geographic coverage in respect of insurance policies, may extend to include other emirates as well, during medical emergencies.
Considering the provisions of the Insurance Law as stated above, you may approach the Human Resource Department of your employer and seek clarity on the geographic coverage of your health insurance policy as the emirate of Dubai should be covered under the 'Basic Health Insurance Policy'.
In the event of any discrepancies/violations, you may approach the General Authority for Health Services in the Emirates of Abu Dhabi.
Know the law
Expatriates may not be employed, issued residence permits nor have their existing permits renewed unless they are subscribed to the health insurance scheme.
Ashish Mehta is the founder and Managing Partner of Ashish Mehta & Associates. He is qualified to practise law in Dubai, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and India. Full details of his firm on: www.amalawyers.com. Readers may e-mail their questions to: news@khaleejtimes.com or send them to Legal View, Khaleej Times, P.O. Box 11243, Dubai.