As an expat location, Dubai tends to attract younger families who make the move for work. As such, many expats living in Dubai will find themselves needing pregnancy healthcare while outside of the UK.
Of course, Dubai boasts some of the finest healthcare facilities in the world, with high standards in both the public and private sectors. However, as an expat you will need to follow the correct path in order to save yourself unnecessary expense and ensure that you receive the best care possible.
First and foremost, make sure you are insured. This should be done as soon as you become an expat rather than once you become pregnant. Providers will often stipulate a certain period that needs to elapse between the time you take out your insurance and the start of your pregnancy, and finding insurance when you are already pregnant can be extremely expensive.
If you have employer-provided healthcare, make sure you still check all the available options. Dubai hospitals will commonly offer packages to cover certain areas of maternity care, and there are maternity care insurance packages that can be quite cost-effective.
As a rough guide, common care packages cost:
- Antenatal Package: Between AED 4000 and AED 7000.
- Delivery Packages: Between AED 7000 and AED 13,000
- Caesarean Packages: Up to AED 25,000
Remember, these figures are not set in stone, and complications or unusually long hospital stays can see them increase dramatically.
If you are living in Dubai as an expat, become pregnant, and cannot afford insurance, you need to apply for a health card from the UAE’s Ministry of Health (MOH). Unfortunately, your costs will be a lot higher than they would be if you were covered by a strong insurance package, but a health card will at least allow you to receive care.
If you haven’t yet arranged your expat health insurance, make sure you contact a provider as soon as possible. Experienced healthcare providers can answer all of your questions and make sure you enjoy proper coverage for your maternity expenses and beyond.
