Health Insurance in the Northern Emirates
The Northern Emirates generally include Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain,
Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Health insurance helps eligible residents
access covered healthcare services through the medical network assigned
to their policy.
Since 1 January 2025, employers must arrange medical insurance for eligible
private-sector employees and domestic workers in these emirates as part of
the applicable residence-permit issuance or renewal process.
Who May Need Health Insurance?
Medical coverage may need to be arranged for:
-
Private-Sector Employees:
Employers are responsible for arranging the required health insurance
for eligible employees.
-
Domestic Workers:
Employers or sponsors must arrange suitable medical insurance for
eligible domestic workers under their sponsorship.
-
Self-Sponsored Residents:
Freelancers, investors and other self-sponsored residents may need to
arrange their own medical insurance.
-
Family Dependants:
Separate medical coverage may be requested for eligible spouses,
children and other dependants who are not covered by another valid policy.
What May Health Insurance Cover?
Depending on the selected plan, benefits may include:
-
Outpatient Consultations:
Eligible consultations with general practitioners and specialists
within the assigned medical network.
-
Diagnostic Services:
Medically necessary laboratory tests, scans and other investigations,
subject to policy requirements.
-
Prescribed Medicines:
Approved medicines may be covered according to the applicable formulary,
benefit limits and co-payment.
-
Inpatient Treatment:
Eligible hospital admissions, surgeries and related medical care,
subject to medical necessity and approval requirements.
-
Emergency Treatment:
Emergency medical services may be covered according to the policy
conditions and geographical limits.
-
Maternity Benefits:
Eligible maternity services may be included, subject to waiting periods,
limits, co-payments and policy terms.
How to Choose Health Insurance:
Review these important details before selecting coverage:
-
Medical Network:
Confirm that suitable hospitals, clinics, pharmacies and specialists
are available in your emirate or nearby locations.
-
Coverage Limits:
Review the annual policy limit and any separate limits applying to
specific medical benefits.
-
Co-payments:
Check how much the insured member may need to pay for consultations,
medicines, diagnostic tests or other services.
-
Pre-authorisation:
Confirm which treatments, investigations, medicines or hospital
admissions require approval before receiving the service.
-
Geographical Coverage:
Check whether the policy provides access within one emirate, across
the UAE or in other countries.
-
Exclusions and Waiting Periods:
Understand which services are excluded, restricted or available only
after a waiting period.
How to Request Health Insurance:
Follow these steps:
-
Provide the Applicant’s Details:
Enter the applicant’s personal, identification, contact and residency
information.
-
Provide Sponsor Details:
Submit the applicable employer, sponsor or self-sponsorship information.
-
Complete the Medical Information:
Declare existing medical conditions, previous treatment and other
requested information accurately.
-
Review the Available Coverage:
Check the medical network, benefits, limits, co-payments and exclusions.
-
Submit the Documents:
Provide the required identification, residency and supporting records.
-
Review the Quotation:
Confirm the premium and policy details before completing the application.
Documents Required:
You may need the following documents:
- Emirates ID
- Passport copy
- Residence visa copy or visa application details
- Employer or sponsor information
- Employment or domestic-worker details, where applicable
- Previous medical insurance details, if available
- Medical declaration or reports, if requested
Why Choose Al Buhaira Insurance?
Eligible customers can access:
-
Medical Insurance Enquiries:
Eligible individuals, employers and sponsors can request medical
insurance based on their circumstances.
-
Online Quotation:
Applicants can submit their personal and medical information through
the online medical-insurance quotation journey.
-
Medical Network Search:
Healthcare providers can be searched by network, emirate, provider
type and speciality.
-
Medical Insurance Support:
Assistance is available for quotations, policy issuance, renewals,
endorsements, network enquiries and reimbursement claims.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Ans: The Northern Emirates generally include Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.
Ans: Since 1 January 2025, employers must arrange health insurance for eligible private-sector employees and domestic workers as part of applicable residence-permit issuance or renewal.
Ans: Coverage may include outpatient consultations, diagnostic services, medicines, inpatient treatment, emergency care and maternity benefits, subject to the selected plan.
Ans: Treatment in another emirate depends on the assigned medical network, geographical coverage and policy terms. Check the network before receiving treatment.
Ans: Coverage depends on accurate medical disclosure, eligibility, applicable requirements and the selected plan. Existing conditions should be declared during the application.
Ans: Yes. Eligible applicants can submit their details through Al Buhaira Insurance’s online medical-insurance quotation service.
