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In the UAE, residents can present their Emirates ID as a health insurance card at a hospital or clinic, noting that the Emirates ID and health insurance policies are linked.
According to reports, residents can also check their health insurance status using their Emirates ID. It also helps people in finding out the network of coverage of their health insurance and benefits provided under those policies.
Emirates ID and health insurance-linked
Since 2017, UAE's health insurance providers have been linking their policy with the Emirates ID of the customer. Hospitals and clinics are also ensuring the provision of Emirates ID card readers which allow the facility to check the health insurance status and coverage benefits of the patients. The decision was taken in accordance with the UAE's government's efforts to digitise services.
At the same time, Dubai and Abu Dhabi authorities mandated health insurance for all citizens and residents with valid visas issued by the Emirates. This means the Emirates ID application process will also contains the provision of valid health insurance.
Speaking in this regard, Dubai-based Public Relations Manager Sirajudeen Umer of Supreme Businessmen Service underlined that an Emirates ID application can be used to apply for a health insurance policy.
“The Emirates ID application is mandatory when applying for health insurance. Once you have 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 get the rest of the visa processes completed. Once the visa is stamped on your passport and the Emirates ID is printed, the policy number and Emirates ID number need to be emailed to the health insurance provider. The insurance will then be linked to your Emirates ID immediately," Umer explained.
Residents are required to email a copy of the Emirates ID and policy number to the health insurance provider to link the insurance with Emirates ID.
Checking health insurance status with Emirates ID
People can also use their Emirates ID to check the details related to their health insurance online as a majority of the health insurance providers allow their customers to use their Emirates ID to view their health insurance details through website or mobile apps.
People can visit the health insurance provider's website or download their app to check the details by simply entering their Emirates ID number.
However, if online service is not available, customers can call their insurance provider's customer care hotline to get the required details.
According to Hitesh Motwani, the Chief Marketing Officer at InsuranceMarket.ae, online options makes it easier for individuals to receive necessary information regarding their insurance policy.
“This can be done by calling the insurer to reconfirm. Also, most insurers or TPAs (Third Party Administrators) have their mobile applications where the insured can log in using their Emirates ID to keep a track of all their covers, claim approval requests and the network of providers,” Motwani added.
By entering your Emirates ID number on the website or mobile application, you can receive an overview of your healthcare plan including:
• The benefits
• The pending medicine or treatment approval requests
• The hospitals and clinics that accept your healthcare insurance provider
Individuals can also use their Emirates ID to check if their insurance has been activated.
“This is an exercise where the insured customer can check with their insurer to see if their insurance policy is active. Generally, the health insurance card is linked to the Emirates ID, and the insured can reach out to their insurer to confirm if this is done," Motwani explained.
Furthermore, people can also use their Emirates ID as a medical insurance card. According to Motwani, it has become a widely accepted practice now.
"Hospitals, clinics and pharmacies now use the Emirates ID to run a check at their end to identify which insurer and what coverage is the insured eligible for," he added.
SOURCE: Gulf News