Don’t have your health insurance card on hand but need to go to the hospital immediately? As the Emirates ID and health insurance policies are linked, you can also present your Emirates ID at a clinic or hospital in the UAE instead.
With your Emirates ID number, you are also able to check your health insurance status, which means that you can find out the network of coverage of your health insurance as well as the benefits you are eligible for.
Here’s how you can check your health insurance status using your Emirates ID.
Emirates ID and health insurance are linked
UAE health insurance providers have linked their policy to the Emirates ID of the customer since 2017. Emirates ID card readers have also been installed in clinics and hospitals, allowing the facility to check the patient’s health insurance status and provide the appropriate coverage benefits. The move is part of the UAE government’s efforts to digitalize services.
Citizens and residents of Dubai and Abu Dhabi who hold a visa issued by these Emirates must have health insurance, so the Emirates ID application process now requires a valid health insurance certificate.
Upon submitting a request for the Emirates ID, the individual receives an Emirates ID application. The application is then used to apply for a health insurance policy. It is at this point that the preliminary steps for linking the health insurance to Emirates ID begin.
When applying for health insurance, an Emirates ID application is required. With the Emirates ID application, you can apply for an insurance policy. The insurance provider will issue you a ‘health coverage certificate’ which can be used to complete the rest of the visa process. After the visa is stamped in your passport and the Emirates ID is printed, email the policy number and Emirates ID number to your health insurer. The insurance will immediately be linked to your Emirates ID.
How can one check the status of their health insurance using the Emirates ID?
The Emirates ID can be used to check your health insurance details online.
A majority of health insurance providers in the UAE allow their customers to access their insurance details via their websites or mobile applications. If your health insurance provider permits it, simply visit their website or download their app and enter your Emirates ID number. The insurance provider will then send you your policy details or give you the option of creating online credentials on the platform with which to access the information.
You can also contact their customer service hotline if this service is not offered by your insurance provider.
Confirmation can be obtained by calling the insurer. In addition, most insurers or TPAs (Third Party Administrators) have their mobile applications where the insured can log in using their Emirates ID to keep track of their coverage, claim approval requests, and network of providers.
By entering your Emirates ID on the website or mobile application, you will receive a whole overview of your healthcare plan, including:
- The benefits
- The pending approval requests for medicines and treatments
- The hospitals and clinics that accept your healthcare insurance.
If you have recently applied for your Emirates ID and health insurance, you can also use this service to determine whether the policy has been activated.
The insured customer can check with their insurer to see if their policy is active with this exercise. The health insurance card is typically linked to the Emirates ID, and the insured can contact their insurer to find out if this is the case.
Is it possible to use the Emirates ID as a medical insurance card?
The Emirates ID can be used as a replacement for your medical insurance card.
Currently, this practice is widely accepted. Hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies can now use Emirates ID to identify which insurer and what coverage the patient is eligible for.