Dubai to cover mental health, longer rehabilitation under mandatory insurance

Mental health treatment and extended rehabilitation from debilitating and neurological conditions will soon be covered by mandatory health insurance in Dubai, according to reports.

Dubai Healthcare Corporation CEO Dr Younis Al Kazim told Gulf News the body was working to include a longer period of rehabilitation sessions in the standard health insurance package.

Other planned changes will see mental health issues covered for the first time.

“Mental health is going to be part of the public health strategy. We cannot ignore it as it is important in providing stability to an individual at home and at the workplace,” he was quoted as saying.

Al Kazim said there were several cases of patients going into depression after they were discharged.

“Now we are working to have mental health included in health insurance. The patients will receive psychological counselling along with other ongoing treatments,” he added.

However, these additions are expected to push up insurance premiums with the costs to be covered by companies or insurers.

It became mandatory for every Dubai resident to have insurance coverage after March 31 last year.

Read: Dubai health insurance enquiries skyrocket after deadline

Dubai Healthcare Corporation was formed in May under a new organisational structure at Dubai health Authority.

This also saw the formation of Dubai Health Insurance Corporation and operations in strategy and development, health regulation and joint corporate support services.