Basic Health Insurance in Sharjah

Basic health insurance helps eligible Sharjah residents access essential medical services through the healthcare network assigned to their policy. Coverage is subject to the policy’s benefits, annual limits, co-payments, exclusions and approval requirements.

Since 1 January 2025, employers must arrange medical insurance for eligible private-sector employees and domestic workers in Sharjah as part of the applicable residence-permit issuance or renewal process.

Who May Need Basic Health Insurance?

Medical coverage may need to be arranged for:

1. Private-Sector Employees: Employers are responsible for purchasing the required health insurance for eligible employees.
2. Domestic Workers: Employers or sponsors must arrange suitable medical insurance for eligible domestic workers under their sponsorship.
3. Self-Sponsored Residents: Freelancers, investors and other eligible self-sponsored residents may need to arrange their own medical insurance.
4. Family Dependants: Separate coverage may be requested for spouses, children and other eligible dependants who are not covered by another valid policy.

What May Basic Health Insurance Cover?

Depending on the selected policy, benefits may include:

1. Outpatient Consultations: Eligible consultations with general practitioners and approved specialists within the assigned medical network.
2. Diagnostic Services: Medically necessary laboratory tests, scans and other investigations, subject to applicable limits and approvals.
3. Prescribed Medicines: Approved medicines may be covered according to the formulary, benefit limit and applicable co-payment.
4. Inpatient Treatment: Eligible hospital admissions, surgeries and related treatment, subject to medical necessity and pre-authorisation requirements.
5. Emergency Treatment: Emergency medical services may be covered according to the policy terms and geographical limits.
6. Maternity Benefits: Eligible maternity services may be included, subject to waiting periods, limits, co-payments and policy conditions.

How to Use Your Medical Insurance:

Review these steps before receiving treatment:

1. Check Your Medical Network: Confirm that the hospital, clinic, pharmacy or specialist is included in the network assigned to your policy.
2. Present Your Documents: Show your valid Emirates ID and medical insurance card when visiting the healthcare provider.
3. Confirm the Benefit: Check whether the requested consultation, test, medicine or treatment is covered.
4. Obtain Approval When Required: Some services require pre-authorisation before treatment can proceed.
5. Pay the Applicable Share: The insured member may need to pay a co-payment, deductible or non-covered expense.

What to Check Before Selecting a Plan:

Compare these important policy details:

1. Provider Network: Confirm that suitable hospitals, clinics, pharmacies and specialists are available in Sharjah or nearby emirates.
2. Annual Coverage Limit: Review the overall policy limit and any separate limits applying to specific medical benefits.
3. Co-payments and Deductibles: Check how much you may need to pay when receiving consultations, medicines, tests or treatment.
4. Pre-authorisation Requirements: Confirm which treatments, investigations, medicines or admissions require advance approval.
5. Geographical Coverage: Check whether the medical network is limited to Sharjah or includes providers in other emirates.
6. Exclusions and Waiting Periods: Understand which services are excluded, restricted or available only after a waiting period.

How to Request Basic Health Insurance:

Follow these steps:

1. Provide the Applicant’s Details: Enter the applicant’s personal, identification, contact and residency information.
2. Provide Employer or Sponsor Details: Submit the applicable employment, sponsorship or self-sponsorship information.
3. Complete the Medical Declaration: Declare existing conditions, previous treatment and other requested medical information accurately.
4. Review the Available Plan: Check the benefits, provider network, limits, co-payments and exclusions.
5. Submit the Required Documents: Provide the identification, residency and supporting records requested.
6. Review the Quotation: Confirm the premium and policy details before completing the application.

Documents Required:

You may need the following documents:

1. Emirates ID
2. Passport copy
3. Residence visa copy or visa application details
4. Employer or sponsor information
5. Employment or domestic-worker details, where applicable
6. Previous medical insurance details, if available
7. Medical declaration or supporting reports, if requested

Why Choose Al Buhaira Insurance?

Eligible customers can access:

1. Medical Insurance Enquiries: Individuals, employers and sponsors can request medical insurance according to their eligibility and circumstances.
2. Online Medical Quotation: Applicants can submit their personal and medical information through the online quotation journey.
3. Medical Network Search: Members can search healthcare providers by network, emirate, provider type and speciality.
4. In-House and TPA Networks: Medical policies may use an Al Buhaira in-house network or an appointed Third Party Administrator, depending on the issued plan.

Frequently Asked Questions: