Sponsored Content: Are you sure everything you might need is covered? You may be surprised…
We’re fortunate here in Dubai that health insurance must be provided for all workers by their employers.
But when was the last time you really read the details of the policy supplied by your workplace? You might be shocked to find not everything you assumed would be covered actually is.
In fact, according to a survey by global insurance company Cigna conducted this year, 45 per cent of UAE respondents said they have paid for medical expenses incurred on top of their coverage.
To counteract this, the insurer has developed a health insurance plan designed specifically for Dubai—Cigna HealthguardSM.
What does it include?
This tailored package is catered especially for the city’s expat-heavy population, with coverage for services such as hospital treatment, out-of-area emergency cover, cancer care and mental health care.
Also included are services for women and growing families, such as maternity care, home births, newborn care, pap smears and mammograms, child vaccinations, and complications arising from pregnancy.
The plan also has a focus on wellness, providing cover for services such as homeopathy, Ayurveda, Chinese medicine, acupuncture, physiotherapy and chiropractic treatment.
Unlike many other policies, Cigna HealthguardSM also covers treatment for pre-existing and chronic conditions inside and out of the UAE, as well as full medical repatriation, when you are in an area where medical treatment may not be available in an emergency.
There’s also emergency dental treatment included, as well as dialysis, surgeons’ fees, transplant services, and some home nursing.
If you’re an expat, you might find reassurance in the plan’s coverage for compassionate visits from family members overseas, as well as cash benefits if you need to travel home for medically necessary treatment.
How does the plan work?
Cigna HealthguardSM has three tiers available, depending on the coverage you want and your budget.
The Regional option gives you medical insurance across the GCC, Middle East and most of Asia (excluding Singapore, Hong Kong and China) up to Dhs2.75 million a year. This doesn’t cover, however, some high-cost hospitals and practitioners.
The International option covers you throughout the world (with an option to add on the USA), gives you access to Cigna’s network of hospitals in the UAE (excluding American Hospital Dubai), and a yearly benefit limit of Dhs7.35 million.
International Plus gives you all of the above (with the option for a US add-on), as well as access to American Hospital Dubai and an unlimited overall annual benefit.
There are also discounts available…
Got a healthy BMI and haven’t smoked in a year? Then you’re eligible for a 10 per cent discount on your annual premiums.
Don’t tick the above boxes? That’s OK—if you make the necessary lifestyle changes, you could qualify for the discount next year.
So, if peace of mind is what you’re after (or your workplace policy doesn’t cover the services you want), it could be worth adding additional health insurance to your roster.
For more information about Cigna Healthguard plans, check out their website.
Image: Getty
