Choosing the wrong healthcare cover in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) can seriously damage the wealth as well as health of expats.
With so many options available, it’s easy to choose one that doesn’t quite offer the right cover.
Indeed, growing numbers of expats are travelling out of the UAE to find the hospital treatment they need.
There are a number of reasons for this which include:
- The policyholder isn’t covered for the treatment they need in the UAE
- Waiting lists to see a doctor may be too long which means a trip abroad
- Problems finding a doctor who can speak their language.
That’s why healthcare insurance experts urge people looking for a policy to think carefully about what specific treatments they may need.
Check the small print
Expats especially should check the small print to ensure they have access to a doctor who speaks their language, that the policy will cover them for the treatment they need in the region where they live and that the hospitals where they are allowed to go actually have the necessary facilities.
Not all hospitals in the UAE can cope with specialist demands.
The best advice for expats is to choose a comprehensive healthcare insurance which should cater for all of their current and future needs.
While not the cheapest option, it will pay dividends when it comes to finding a doctor and somewhere which can offer the treatment needed.
In addition, if the necessary treatment is not available in the UAE, expats should check that healthcare policies will cover treatment in another country.
Watch out for hidden costs
But beware – travel and accommodation costs outside the UAE will not be covered by their health insurance. This is often an extra cost which is not considered.
Travelling to another country for treatment may also entail some extra homework from expats to check that the hospital or clinic can deal with their complaint.
Not having comprehensive healthcare insurance cover means that expats face paying extra for expensive treatment in the UAE – and those costs are rising.
That means some expats will be forced into choosing cheaper hospitals which could mean even longer waiting times to see a doctor or even to receive treatment.
When faced with that double whammy, many expats opt for treatment abroad which may bring other issues, like who pays the bill and follow-up care.
