ABU DHABI // Regular check-ups and better dental and optical care are some of the services residents want to see covered by insurance.
The survey found only 13 per cent of respondents, mainly from the Northern Emirates, are not covered by health insurance.
The 29 per cent of those who are insured say there are basic services that are not provided.
These are dental (53 per cent), full coverage (20 per cent), optical (17 per cent) and regular check-ups (13 per cent).
When asked what they would like to have covered under their insurance, 42 per cent chose dental, 30 per cent full coverage and 10 per cent optical or laser treatment among others.
“I think all dental services should be covered by health insurance,” says Vishnu Rajeevan, 27, an Indian shop manager living in Abu Dhabi. “I usually visit my dentist back in India when I go home.
“I have not had to use other services abroad and usually go to doctors here if I need anything. If I needed to see a doctor, I wouldn’t go back to India as I can consult one here.”
Maliha Khurram, 38, a Pakistani who has lived in Abu Dhabi for two years, says: “I think optical should be covered in health insurance.
“My son wears spectacles and although a part of it is covered, we need to spend a lot on getting his glasses made. If optical was fully covered, it would make things easier for us.”
Maria Eisold, 27, says many medical services can be expensive.
“I do have health insurance but I have retained my insurance in Germany,” says the Abu Dhabi resident. “It is the only thing I have retained back home.
“Thankfully, I haven’t had to use my insurance too much but I think all kinds of surgery should be covered, as the person might be in a life-threatening condition.
“Who can afford surgery? It is so expensive.”
Bernard Perono, 38, a Filipino nurse in Abu Dhabi, says: “I believe dental services should be covered as a part of health insurance.
“I consult my dentist in Philippines when I go home. That’s the only thing I think is lacking.”
Of those insured, 69 per cent are satisfied with their cover.
One quarter of insured respondents say they face some problems claiming medical expenses from their insurer.
The main problems include a long processing time (55 per cent), unexplained partial or total refund rejection (53 per cent) and lack of transparency of the claim handling process (49 per cent).
The Abu Dhabi Government introduced mandatory health care for all workers in 2006. A similar and long-awaited scheme is about to be implemented in Dubai.
But, as yet, there is no universal health cover for those living in the Northern Emirates. The Ministry of Health says insurance for all will be introduced soon.
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