Dubai slaps fines of up to Dhs80,000 on health insurance law violators

DHA imposes fines on 25 facilities that violated Dubai’s mandatory health insurance law

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has fined 25 health centres, clinics, insurance brokers and insurance companies for violating the Dubai mandatory health insurance law, official news agency WAM reported on Tuesday.

The DHA has also referred six clinics for prosecution for potential fraudulent activities, the report said.

The violations were found during surprise and routine inspections carried out by the authority’s Health Funding Department as well as from member complaints.

Dr. Haidar Al Yousef, the director of the Health Funding Department at DHA, said that the fines imposed ranged from Dhs10,000 to Dhs80,000.

“Some healthcare providers and insurers didn’t comply completely with the health insurance law and the circulars issued by the health funding department. We observed this through inspection visits, compliance meetings as well complaints received from different parties involved in the system. Therefore we have resorted to fining them to avoid such acts in the future,” he was quoted as saying.

The violating facilities received an initial warning which was followed by a fine. Those referred for prosecution may face criminal punishment due to potential fraudulent activities, he added.

The fines were based on the type of violation and the number of times the violation was repeated.

The Dubai Health Insurance Law, that came into effect in January 2014, aims to ensure that everybody is covered by health insurance.

It states that it is the legal liability for every sponsor is to provide an essential insurance package – fixed between Dhs550 and Dhs700.

Employers and sponsors who fail to provide mandatory health insurance cover are now liable to a fine of Dhs500 per month.

The mandatory health cover is also required for a new residency visa and to renew an existing one.