Medical Insurance in Sharjah

Medical insurance helps eligible Sharjah residents access covered healthcare services through the provider network assigned to their policy. The available benefits, limits, co-payments and exclusions depend on the selected plan and its schedule of benefits.

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

Who May Need Medical Insurance?

Medical coverage may need to be arranged for:

1. Private-Sector Employees: Employers are responsible for arranging the required medical 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: Investors, freelancers and other eligible self-sponsored residents may need to arrange their own medical coverage.
4. Family Dependants: Sponsors may request separate coverage for spouses, children or other eligible dependants who are not insured under another valid policy.

What May Medical Insurance Cover?

Depending on the issued 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, imaging and other investigations, subject to policy limits and approval requirements.
3. Prescribed Medicines: Approved medicines may be covered according to the applicable formulary, benefit limits and co-payments.
4. Inpatient Treatment: Eligible hospital admissions, surgeries and related medical care, subject to medical necessity and prior authorisation.
5. Emergency Treatment: Emergency medical services may be covered according to the policy conditions and geographical limits.
6. Maternity Benefits: Eligible maternity services may be included, subject to limits, co-payments, waiting periods and other policy conditions.

How to Choose Medical Insurance:

Review these important details before selecting a plan:

1. Medical Network: Confirm that suitable hospitals, clinics, pharmacies and specialists are available in Sharjah or nearby emirates.
2. Coverage Limits: Review the annual policy limit and any separate limits applying to medicines, maternity or other benefits.
3. Co-payments and Deductibles: Check how much the insured member must contribute when receiving consultations, medicines, tests or treatment.
4. Pre-authorisation: Understand which investigations, medicines, procedures and hospital admissions require approval before treatment.
5. Geographical Coverage: Check whether the policy can be used only within a limited network, across other emirates or outside the UAE.
6. Exclusions and Waiting Periods: Review treatments that are excluded, restricted or available only after a stated waiting period.

How to Use Your Medical Insurance:

Before receiving non-emergency treatment:

1. Check the Assigned Network: Confirm that the healthcare provider is included in the network shown on your medical insurance card.
2. Present Your Documents: Show your valid Emirates ID and medical insurance card at the provider.
3. Confirm the Benefit: Check whether the requested consultation, test, medicine or treatment is covered and whether a co-payment applies.
4. Obtain Approval When Required: The healthcare provider may need to submit a prior-authorisation request for certain services.
5. Keep Your Medical Records: Retain prescriptions, reports, invoices, receipts and approval references related to the treatment.

How to Request Medical 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: Disclose existing conditions, previous treatments and other requested medical information accurately.
4. Review the Available Coverage: Check the benefits, medical network, limits, co-payments and exclusions.
5. Submit the Required Documents: Provide the requested identification, residency and supporting records.
6. Review the Quotation: Confirm the premium and policy conditions 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 applicants and members can access:

1. Online Medical Quotation: Applicants can submit their personal and medical information through the online medical-insurance quotation journey.
2. Sharjah Medical Network Search: Members can search healthcare providers according to their assigned network, provider type and speciality.
3. In-House and TPA Networks: Medical policies may use an Al Buhaira network or an appointed Third Party Administrator, depending on the issued plan.
4. Policy and Medical Support: Assistance is available for quotations, policy issuance, renewals, endorsements, network enquiries and medical approvals.
5. Reimbursement Claims: Eligible members can submit medical reimbursement requests with the required claim form and supporting documents.

Frequently Asked Questions: