Health Insurance for Dependents - UAE and Saudi
Health Insurance for Dependents - UAE and Saudi
I’m considering teaching in the Middle East (UAE or Saudi) and would like to hear from teachers currently working there about the health insurance provided in your contracts. Does it usually cover spouses? If so, do you find it to be basic or more comprehensive coverage? My husband has a pre-existing medical condition & requires a specialist medication, so strong cover for him would be important. Any insights into the types of plans or general benefits you’ve seen offered in the region would be very helpful. Thanks and I really appreciate any advice because it is really hard to find information online or from HR of prospective employers!
Re: Health Insurance for Dependents - UAE and Saudi
I’d be happy to share the insurance I have in Saudi to give you an idea. Are you pretty knowledgeable on what to look for? I’d say it’s okay at best. I might be wrong. Send me a PM.
Re: Health Insurance for Dependents - UAE and Saudi
Thanks so much for your reply. Honestly, I don't really know what to look out for with health insurance. I do know that many schools no longer offer perks for spouses in their UAE packages. I used to teach in UAE but it was before I was married so I didn't look into spouse cover back then and I don't have any medical conditions myself so I didn't need to use the insurance myself. When I look at vacancies now, I notice that many don't cover the spouse in the UAE. I heard that Saudi does provide health insurance for spouse but other than that I don't know what to look out for. If you have any advice or information, I would be so grateful. I'm not sure how to PM you as I don't seem to have access to that. Thanks
Re: Health Insurance for Dependents - UAE and Saudi
No problem.
Well, that’s what you need to ask at interview or to request after receiving an offer. I think it’s critical that insurance covers a trailing or working spouse and children. You’d need to check the coverage, any deductibles, co-payments and the annual limits. Others may comment and add on this. If there’s no coverage for dependents then I’d be looking to cover this out of pocket.
Well, that’s what you need to ask at interview or to request after receiving an offer. I think it’s critical that insurance covers a trailing or working spouse and children. You’d need to check the coverage, any deductibles, co-payments and the annual limits. Others may comment and add on this. If there’s no coverage for dependents then I’d be looking to cover this out of pocket.
Response
::looking around for sid::
Well how long is a piece of string?
There is no uniform response to that query. ISs are going to differ. Without knowing what the medication is its difficult to answer. Is it experimental, or not globally available, does it need to be compounded, is it expensive?
In general (with very broad strokes) even with an IS that provides coverage for dependents the coverage tends to be basic. For preexisting conditions policies will cover consultations with a health care provider and common medications up to a reasonable amount. As things get more expensive the denials become more common, especially for dependents. An inhaler for chronic asthma, isnt going to be a problem (assuming the IS provides dependent coverage), repetitive bone marrow transplants for rare cancer, is going to be problematic. Where along that spectrum is your spouses condition?
The best answer your going to get is going to come from the ISs HR department, but understand that all they are doing is calling the insurer and asking, then relaying the information to you. They may not get an accurate response and no one really knows until the payment clears. Even then if its a very expensive treatment you may be required to pay the coin upfront and file for reimbursement by the provider. This may be something your personal finances can not absorb.
In The Kingdom be weary that you have fewer pathways to recourse if an IS either intentionally or unintentionally deceives you. They may say its covered only for you to realize after youve arrived and obligated yourself with travel and housing costs that you need an exit visa meaning requiring you to pay whatever amount of coin the IS says you owe, if you come to find out the medication is not covered or not even available.
Well how long is a piece of string?
There is no uniform response to that query. ISs are going to differ. Without knowing what the medication is its difficult to answer. Is it experimental, or not globally available, does it need to be compounded, is it expensive?
In general (with very broad strokes) even with an IS that provides coverage for dependents the coverage tends to be basic. For preexisting conditions policies will cover consultations with a health care provider and common medications up to a reasonable amount. As things get more expensive the denials become more common, especially for dependents. An inhaler for chronic asthma, isnt going to be a problem (assuming the IS provides dependent coverage), repetitive bone marrow transplants for rare cancer, is going to be problematic. Where along that spectrum is your spouses condition?
The best answer your going to get is going to come from the ISs HR department, but understand that all they are doing is calling the insurer and asking, then relaying the information to you. They may not get an accurate response and no one really knows until the payment clears. Even then if its a very expensive treatment you may be required to pay the coin upfront and file for reimbursement by the provider. This may be something your personal finances can not absorb.
In The Kingdom be weary that you have fewer pathways to recourse if an IS either intentionally or unintentionally deceives you. They may say its covered only for you to realize after youve arrived and obligated yourself with travel and housing costs that you need an exit visa meaning requiring you to pay whatever amount of coin the IS says you owe, if you come to find out the medication is not covered or not even available.
Re: Health Insurance for Dependents - UAE and Saudi
Thanks to you both for your replies and I appreciate that. So far I have found schools in the UAE not willing to provide any information about cover at the recruitment stage - even basic information. Also, I contacted insurers in the UAE such as Daman and asked about the specific medical condition and medication and they are unable to provide any information at all. My husband has Polycythemia Vera and it is very well controlled with a medication called Pegasys (Pegalated Interferon Alpha-2a). His specialist said he should be able to live a normal life-span! He's very fit and well and he basically has to get blood tests every six months just to make sure everything is ok. Yes, the medication is expensive but I can't find anything out about availability in The Middle East. (I think to purchase in UAE it is 1065 AED per week but there may be cheaper alternatives). I didn't know whether (since it is a pre-existing condition) it would not be covered at all or whether it would be covered up to a certain financial cut-off point. I know many people would say that it's easier to stay in our home country but it is a shame to be tied when we are both otherwise fit and healthy and would love to work overseas. Thanks again.
Re: Health Insurance for Dependents - UAE and Saudi
If I were you, I would get yourself covered on a worldwide policy taken out by you. This way you’ll find out if covered through the medical underwriting. Popular insurance companies are Cigna, AXA, IMG and Allianz to name a few. I’d be interested to hear back if you do happen to go down this road. Keep us posted.