Health Insurance in Abu Dhabi: Employers' Obligation to Employees' Family Members

Analysis

Olaide Esan, Senior Legal Consultant of Hadef & Partners Abu Dhabi office clarifies some of the obligations for employers in providing medical insurance cover to families of ‘junior' employees employed on a ‘single status' contract, but who have decided to bring their spouses and children to the UAE under the employees' own sponsorship.

In brief:

• The Law makes it compulsory for employers in Abu Dhabi to provide health insurance coverage for all employees and their families.

• The ‘Thiqa' program was launched in 2008 by the Health Authority in Abu Dhabi (HAAD) and the program grants all UAE Nationals and those of similar status, healthcare coverage through a comprehensive network of healthcare providers.

• The program is compulsory for UAE Nationals that are natives of Abu Dhabi and voluntary for UAE nationals that are natives of other emirates.

• The employee has an obligation to subscribe to the insurance scheme for any other person under his sponsorship who is not entitled to health insurance coverage by his employer.