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Emirates ID can be used as health insurance card

Emirates ID card will be used instead of a conventional insurance card to offer comprehensive mandatory preventive care programme.

Dubai - Residents will soon be able to use their Emirates ID cards in the place of health insurance cards, a move officials say will reduce fraud and misuse of medical insurance services.

While the first official announcement in this regard was made by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) last week when it launched the insurance programme for Emiratis called Saada, a private health services firm said it had started the service for 3,000 of its members three months ago.

Officials at the launch had said the Emirates ID card will be used instead of a conventional insurance card to offer comprehensive mandatory preventive care programme.

“This is the way forward,” said a senior official from DHA while referring to the replacement of the insurance cards with ID cards.

Dr Haidar Al Yousuf, director of health funding at DHA, said a detailed announcement will be made in this regard soon. “Combining these services in one card is hassle free and highly convenient for users,” he added.

The identity authority has already provided card readers to nearly 45 providers — hospitals, clinics and pharmacies, said Laila Al Jassmi, Board Member of Iris Health Services that is currently offering this service to its members in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.

The readers enable service providers to scan insured members’ Emirates ID cards and access their policy details thus eliminating fraud.

“The card is used by the network as per the insurance plan taken by the patient,” said Laila.

The Emirates ID card, along with removing the hassle of printing and distributing insurance cards to members, helps in minimising fraud and misuse of medical insurance services, she said adding that the integrated system means people do not need to carry several cards. Currently, a patient has to present an Emirates ID card along with the insurance card while availing any service.

“By using the card as the method of identification and verification of the insured member, we are able to maintain the member’s electronic medical record across medical service providers allowing the patient’s treating physician to access all previous treatment details and history,” said Anil Nair, Chief Executive Officer of Iris Health Services.

Medical professionals have already been given training by the company to introduce them to the new system.

The company will also issue a certificate enabling access to health care up to 60 days in case the Emirates ID card expires.

-asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com