10 Essential Health Benefits Global Health Insurance Must Cover
When choosing a global health insurance, there are many factors you need to consider, from essential health benefits such as emergency services to prescription drugs coverage and preventative care. These benefits can ensure that you are well protected wherever and whenever you travel.
In this article, we will cover global health insurance for expats along with common health problems in the UAE, and highlight some of the essential health benefits a global health insurance plan should have in order to provide a more comprehensive safety net for expats in the UAE.
What is Global Health Insurance?
Global health insurance offers comprehensive worldwide coverage for individuals and families living abroad for a year or longer. The real advantage of having a global health plan is that you have the option of receiving care anywhere in the world.
Depending on the policy and insurer, you also get to choose your preferred hospital or doctor. Additionally, with private health insurance in the UAE, you can choose to go to a private hospital over a public equivalent to receive faster, and often higher-quality care.
Underwriting and Pre-existing Conditions
Global health insurance plans are purchased by both individuals and families. These plans are typically secured because there is a risk of some medical issues arising soon, for instance, pregnancy or heart disease.
To minimize financial risk, insurance companies will undergo a process called underwriting. After you apply for either an individual or family plan, a team of underwriters will review your application, along with any pre-existing conditions mentioned.
We would recommend that individuals and families have copies of their past medical history, as insurers may sometimes ask for additional details related to their medical history. After the process of reviewing, they are likely to either:
- Approve your application, and a premium surcharge to offset the added risks of insuring your pre-existing condition
- Deny your application altogether
Depending on whether you have pre-existing conditions and your lifestyle habits, your premium costs may differ. Many insurers also offer a discount on premiums for policyholders who live healthy lifestyles. Learn more in our article on how to reduce your health insurance premiums.
Common Health Problems in the UAE
Generally, health problems in the UAE arise due to the combination of a fat-rich fast-food diet, sedentary lifestyles, and harsh climatic conditions. Many health problems in the UAE arise from the health impact of obesity. Did you know that over 70 percent of Emiratis are obese by the age of 29?
Below are some chronic health problems developed in both men and women in the UAE:
- Heart disease (cardiovascular disease)
- Stroke
- Blindness
- Kidney disease
- High blood pressure
- Circulatory and nerve defects
- Infections (such as tuberculosis)
- Impotence
- Cancer
- Asthma
- Mental health issues
Top Health Benefits Your Global Health Insurance Should Cover
The following are some of the most popular benefits among expatriates purchasing global health insurance in the UAE:
1. Emergency Services
No matter what your status is in the UAE, you will want to ensure that you have full access to the nearest emergency medical service if the worst were to occur. If you get admitted to a hospital that is not part of the network of hospitals on your plan, you may be charged for the services.
2. Hospitalization
If in the worst-case scenario you experience a sudden stroke or heart attack, the plan should allow you to undergo any emergency treatment or surgery and provide inpatient services to recover. The cost of hospitalization is excruciatingly high, so having this covered by the plan is very reassuring.
3. Ambulatory Patient Services
Certain health conditions may require regular check-ups, for instance, individuals suffering from severe mental health conditions that require frequent visits to a specialist in clinics not associated with emergencies.
4. Rehabilitative & Habilitative Services
After being discharged from emergency care, you may need to receive ongoing physiotherapy or support sessions. These external services are beneficial and will help get you back to your baseline health.
5. Pediatric Services, Including Dental & Vision Care
As a parent, your first thoughts will be the health and safety of your children. Pediatric services at hospitals normally include the following services to diagnose and treat pediatric cases:
- Inpatient and emergencies
- Asthma and CF clinics
- Child-friendly pediatrics ward and outpatient departments
- Pediatric surgeries
- 24-hour clinics (Abu Dhabi and Dubai)
- Growth and development
- Routine checkups and childcare, including immunizations
- School, sports, and camp physicals (Medical Checkups)
- Diagnosis and treatment of acute illnesses
- Treatment of chronic and recurrent health conditions
- Comprehensive care for hospitalized children
- Assessment of school-age children
- Radiology
6. Pregnancy, Maternity, and Newborn Care
Global health plans can include coverage for the following:
- Outpatient services, such as prenatal and postnatal doctor visits, gestational diabetes screenings, lab studies, medications, etc.
- Inpatient services, such as hospitalization, physician fees, etc.
- Newborn baby care
7. Mental Health
Mental health issues rank among the UAE’s top 10 most prevalent health conditions, with depression, anxiety and substance abuse making up a large proportion of mental health cases.
Results from the ‘Cigna 360 Well-Being Survey – Well and Beyond 2019’ show that workplace stress is still on the rise, increasing from 35 to 45 percent since their results in 2018. Expats are among the high figures needing support for stress-related burnout in high-pressure work environments.
8. Prescription Drugs
Access to affordable prescriptions is just as important as the ability to choose your own doctor. Global health plans will help pay the cost of certain prescription medications. If you are unsure about which medications are covered, we would recommend the following:
- Review the list of prescriptions that your plan covers
- Refer to the summary of benefits and coverage from your insurer
- If you cannot access any of the materials, contact your insurer directly
9. Preventative and Wellness Services
Health screenings are a popular benefit for individuals insured under global health plans.
When quoting for global health insurance, it is best to consult your broker about the benefit limits to see if it aligns with your needs.
Below is a non-exhaustive list of common items that are included in a health screening. Please note that the actual items will vary depending on the clinic or hospital:
- Height, Weight & BMI
- Visual Acuity Test
- Color Vision Assessment
- Ear, Nose & Throat Assessment
- Hearing Assessment
- Cardiovascular Assessment – Blood Pressure & Pulse
- Respiratory System Assessment
- Abdomen Examination
- Nervous System & Reflexes Examination
- Locomotor System & Back Examination
- Breast Examination
- Chest X-ray
- Cardiac Assessment
- Electrocardiogram (Resting ECG)
- Hematological Tests
- Complete Blood Count
- Blood Grouping & Rh factor
- Kidney Function
- Urinalysis (Biochemistry & Microscopy)
- Liver Function
- Total Protein
- Hepatitis B Screening
- Diabetes Screening
- Blood Glucose
- Lipid Profile
- Total Cholesterol
- Triglycerides
- Prostate
- PSA (Male only)
- Cervix – Pap Smear (Female only)
10. Laboratory Services
If you are about to have a blood sample taken, you may be wondering if the cost of such a service is covered in your plan. Lab tests range from MRSA swabs to phlebotomy (blood) analysis and examination of the body’s tissue samples.
Global health plans generally cover laboratory services, which are reassuring considering the number of samples your doctor may require.
Contact Pacific Prime Dubai to secure global health insurance
With anything confusing or uncertain, it is always best to double-check the insurer’s terms and conditions. You do not want to be caught off guard by anything that was not included in your insurance summary.
Pacific Prime Dubai offers global health insurance plans, along with maternity insurance and insurance for the family from major insurers such as:
Whether you’re looking for expat health insurance in the UAE or globally, Pacific Prime’s expert advisors are available to help compare your options and offer support throughout your insurance journey. Contact us for impartial insurance advice or a free plan comparison today!
Contact us today, or request a global health insurance quote online here.
Born and raised in the cultural melting pot that is Hong Kong, and having studied at an international school, Vista has developed a multicultural perspective that he uses in his writing and strives to connect to people of different backgrounds.
In his free time, Vista enjoys immersing himself in different worlds, from video games to light novels and movies. His hobbies help him expand his writing style by putting himself in the point-of-view of different people and characters.
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