Health insurance can sometimes be overlooked as part of a wider job offer, but it quickly jumps to the forefront if you need to use it.
In January last year, UAE law made it mandatory for employers to provide medical insurance for all employees from the moment a work visa is issued or renewed - with all plans meeting a mandated minimum level of benefits. For Dubai visa holders, that minimum includes basic dental cover - although it may be limited and require you to pay part of the cost yourself. Anything beyond the legal minimum - better hospitals, wider networks, higher dental limits - is a benefit, not a given.
This is where things can get a bit tricky. If your employer has promised a certain level of cover in writing, or has provided it consistently over time, that promise may carry legal weight, even if it’s not spelt out in your official labour contract, under the new Civil Transactions Law. Downgrades at renewal can happen, but they’re not always straightforward - and they should never come as a surprise.
For employees, understanding the small print of your health insurance is part of managing your personal finances. In this edition, we look at what you’re entitled to and what your rights are when it comes to downgrades.
Have you recently had your medical insurance downgraded? If so, email us about it at pf@thenationalnews.com.
‘Can an employer reduce medical insurance benefits for staff in the UAE?’
Question: My company provides medical insurance for 40 staff per law, but it has become very costly as a business expense and we would like to reduce the cover levels. Where do we stand on downgrading the medical insurance, or even just dropping the dental insurance part, when the plan is renewed? JC, Dubai
For the answer, read the full story
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