Seniors’ health cover affordability at issue

Some expatriates with elderly parents in the UAE are struggling to to find affordable health coverage ahead of a deadline for mandatory cover.

DUBAI // Some expatriates with elderly parents in the UAE, struggling to find affordable coverage, are facing a deadline for mandatory health insurance cover.

All residents will be required to be covered or face fines of Dh500 per month, although the original deadline of yesterday has now been extended.

Either an employee’s sponsor, or a resident who is sponsoring dependents, must pay this amount. A visa will not be granted without health insurance.

Members of the Golden Age Group for elderly residents in communities developed by Emaar said it had been difficult to find suitable coverage.

Davender Sinha said most group members have acquired insurance but the affordable options lacked suitable coverage.

“We need a package that at least provides 100 per cent cover on check-ups and medicines, which is crucial,” said the 65-year-old, who has lived in Dubai with his son for four years.

He said he felt guilty when his son pays thousands of dirhams in doctor fees, tests and medicine. “Sometimes I don’t share my condition with my family unless it becomes unbearable,” said Mr Sinha.

Members urged insurers to include parents as part of family packages, which in Dubai are only for spouses and children.

“In Emirati culture, parents are a crucial component of a family. Keeping the same spirit, we request the authorities to consider our request on humanitarian grounds so that we can live peacefully with our children without guilt,” said Indian Kokil Kapur, 55, who lives with her son and husband in Dubai.

A Pakistani, whose parents have lived with him in Dubai for five years, said he could not find affordable coverage.

“My parents are both over 60 years,” said the 32-year-old financial consultant. “It costs Dh20,000 to Dh30,000 per annum per person. It is way beyond my means.”

The cheapest option he could find was a basic package costing Dh2,500 per year.

An insurance broker, who asked not to be named, said the costs of insurance for the elderly was typical of the high costs of medical care and medicine.

“All insurance is priced by the insurance companies based on age, the level of cover required along with the network of hospitals or clinics available. The prices are very high for the elderly.”

Dubai Health Authority rules mean all pre-existing medical conditions must be covered under insurance. This means “all insurers inflate their prices to ensure they are not at a loss for covering the medical conditions”, said the broker.

A R Qureshi, director of Aster Grace Home Health Care, said without medical coverage, sponsors of parents could face hefty medical bills.

“After anyone reaches 60, there are high chances they could have to visit hospitals for various reasons,” said Mr Qureshi, who has run a seniors care home for more than a year.