A to Z of Getting a Health Card in UAE

Nestled within the heart of the Middle East, the UAE boasts a meticulously-designed healthcare system that offers access to world-class medical facilities to its residents and citizens. 

However, as the world's expectations for healthcare excellence continue to rise, so do the costs associated with it. For those who live in the Emirates but don’t have the safety net of a personal health insurance plan in the UAE, the importance of obtaining a health card cannot be overstated. 

This small but invaluable card serves as the key to unlocking discounted yet top-tier healthcare services. It ensures that even without comprehensive health insurance, individuals can still access the best medical care available here.

Let’s dig deeper into the UAE's healthcare system and understand the significance of the health card in bridging the gap between quality care and affordability.

What is a Health Card in UAE?

In the UAE, a Health Card is like a pass that helps you receive affordable medical care across a wide range of government hospitals. This card can be of great help in covering medical costs if you don't have private health insurance. It's something you should definitely consider to make healthcare more affordable in the UAE.

However, there's a catch.

You need a separate health card for each Emirate that you live in. Moreover, the eligibility may vary — in case you move from one Emirate to another, you will be required to apply for a new health card in that particular Emirate. 

Health Card vs Medical Record Number

Medical Record Number (MRN) plays a key role as a distinctive identification number. Whenever you require medical services such as vaccinations, hospitalisation, or any form of healthcare assistance at a Dubai Health Authority (DHA) facility (such as maternity centers, primary healthcare clinics, or DHA hospitals), having a valid MRN is essential. 

You can think of this number as your medical identification. It's used to maintain and access your health records, making it easier for healthcare providers to review your medical history and deliver the right treatment for your needs.

Important: You cannot get treated for any disease or issue through an MRN — it only works as your identification where your health records are registered. A health card, on the other hand, gives you access to a wide range of medical facilities and treatments.

Who is Eligible to Acquire a Health Card in the UAE?

The eligibility for obtaining a health card in the UAE depends on your status and the documents you possess. Here's a breakdown of who is eligible along with the documents required —

1) UAE Citizens, GCC Citizens, and Non-UAE Citizens of Other Nationalities

• A valid Emirates ID

2) Wife or Husband of a UAE Citizen

• Wife/husband’s valid residence permit (except for GCC citizens)
• Valid Emirates ID of the husband or wife who is a UAE citizen
• Marriage contract or marriage continuity certificate that is of less than 6 months if the marriage contract has been a year or more
• Valid passport — applicable for both the foreign husband/wife and the UAE citizen husband/wife
• Valid Emirates ID for the foreign husband or wife
• Family book for the UAE national husband or wife

3) UAE Female Citizens’ Children 

• Birth certificate
• Valid passport of the son or daughter
• Mother’s valid Emirates ID
• Proof of non-marriage and non-employment for children above the age of 18 years 
• Valid Emirates ID of the daughter or son
• Mother’s valid passport
• Family book or ‘Khulasat Al Qaid’ (applicable for the mother)

4) Parents (Father or Mother) of Citizens

• Valid residence permit (father or mother) — exception for GCC citizens
• Birth certificate (son)
• Valid passport (father or mother)
• Kinship or Dependency certificate (mother or father)
• Valid Emirates ID (son and father/mother)
• Valid passport (son)
• Family book or ‘Khulasat Al Qaid’ (for the son)

5) Newborns

• Birth certificate
• Emirates ID (mother and father)
• Passport (mother and father)
• Father's residence permit
• Mother's residence permit

How to Apply for a Health Card in the UAE?

To apply for a health card in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), you can follow these steps based on the provided information —

For UAE citizens, GCC citizens, and Diplomats

Step 1: Create the Request

• Visit a typing center or use the online smart service (https://www.ehs.gov.ae/en/services/services-directory/issue-of-a-health-card) to initiate your health card application.
• Provide the required information and details as prompted.

Step 2: Pay the Service Fee

• Pay the applicable service fees. Note that the exact fee amount may vary.

Step 3: Application Verification

• After submitting your application, it will be reviewed by a designated health registration officer at the Health Registration Department.

Step 4: Approval Notification

• If your application is approved, you will receive a text message and email confirming the approval.

Step 5: Avail the Service

• Once you receive approval, you can proceed to avail of the health card service.

Step 6: In Case of Rejection

• If your application is rejected, you can make use of the option to modify the request and resubmit it for approval.

Service Channels 

You can also apply for a health card in UAE through the following service channels —

• Website
• Typing Centers
• Service Provision Centers

Documents to Apply for a Health Card in the UAE

Check out the list of general documents needed to apply for a UAE health card — 

• A copy of a valid passport (first page and second page)
• A recent passport-type photo with a white background
• A copy of your ID card (both sides) or ID application form
• For UAE citizens — a copy of the Family Book
• Other attachments (if applicable) such as a lease contract, birth certificate, marriage contract, and so on

Terms and Conditions to Remember when Applying for a Health Card in the UAE

Here are the conditions to fulfill when applying for a health card in the UAE —

1. If you're the wife of a citizen, you must be sponsored by your husband and registered in the Family Book.
2. Children of female citizens are considered citizens themselves.
3. Health cards are not issued in cases of divorce or if the husband passes away, even if the residence is sponsored by citizen sons.
4. You need to have a valid residency in the UAE to apply for a health card.
5. The issuance of a health card is connected to your place of residence.
6. Health cards for citizens and GCC citizens are valid for 4 years. On the other hand, cards for non-citizens are valid for 1 year.
7. You must provide proof of residence such as a lease contract, electricity bill, or property ownership contract.
8. Only one health card is issued per person.
9. Newborns can have health cards registered and issued through special cases, with the registration number used in the birth certificate instead of the ID card.
10. A separate physical health card is no longer issued. This is because it's linked to your Emirates ID card.
11. An individual user can submit up to 10 transactions per year through their activated account using their registered name, ID, phone number, and email address.
12. The validity of the health card may not match the remaining validity of the ID card. However, your ID card must necessarily be valid when you apply for the health card.

Things to Keep in Mind About UAE Health Card

• For citizens and GCC residents, the health cards hold a validity of 4 years. Health for ex-pats, citizens, and diplomats are only valid for one year.
• Your health care will be linked to your place of residency in the UAE and can be used in public hospitals available in that emirate only.
• Your Emirates ID must have enough days/years left on its validity when you apply for the health card.
• You can renew your health card only one month prior to its expiration date and not before.
• UAE Health card fees for residents and ex-pats older than 18 years is AED 320 and AED 120 for children younger than 10 years. For UAE citizens older than 18 years, the UAE health card fee is AED 120 and AED 25 for children younger than 10 years.

Health Card FAQs

Q1. Can I get a UAE health card for newborn babies as well?

Ans. Yes, UAE medical cards can be obtained for newborn babies as well using the category of special cases.

Q2. Is it mandatory to have a health card for babies as well as adults?

Ans. A Health card in the UAE is not mandatory but it is recommended. Every resident must have a health insurance plan in the UAE. However, if you do not have a health insurance plan, consider obtaining the health card at the least.

Q3. Should I get a health card even if I have a health insurance plan?

Ans. Medical insurance plans do not pay for all healthcare services and procedures. There are still many expenses that may be paid out of your pocket in full even if you have comprehensive healthcare insurance. Hence, it is recommended to get a medical card to make sure that you can get low-priced healthcare no matter what the illness.

Q4. How can I renew my health card?

Ans. Health card in the UAE can be easily renewed using the online portals of DHA and MOH or by visiting the public healthcare facilities authorized by the DHA or MOH.

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