The ninth annual conference on health insurance took place in Dubai, bringing together over 200 experts and decision-makers from the local and regional sectors. The conference focused on the technical aspects of risk management, fraud prevention in health insurance, and the digital transformation's administrative and technological role. Key topics included the use of 'blockchain' technology for claims, analytics, and policy and pricing formulation.
Khalid Mohammed Al-Badi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Insurance Authority, stated in an opening speech that the UAE's health insurance market is poised for better performance and growth in the coming year, 2026, and beyond. He noted that the market is undergoing corrective measures to technically and professionally assess health insurance policy prices, after insurers confirmed that non-technical competition in some years was not beneficial in the medium and long term.
Al-Badi mentioned that insurance companies in the country have made significant progress in benefiting from the digital revolution and launching several innovative products, indicating that the period ahead will see more of these solutions, as they address numerous challenges and serve as a path to elevating the service level to the next stage.
Al-Badi affirmed that the healthcare sector in the UAE is preparing for strong growth driven by macroeconomic factors, steady population growth, the expansion of mandatory health insurance to cover all emirates, and the boom in medical tourism.
Positive Indicators In statements on the sidelines of the conference, Abdulmohsen Jaber, Chairman of the Health and Life Insurance Committee at the Emirates Insurance Authority, confirmed the presence of strong positive indicators supporting expectations of better performance and growth in the health insurance market for the years 2025 and 2026.
He predicted, based on current trends and available data, that growth will exceed the rates recorded in previous years, driven by rising employment rates, and thus an increase in the number of employees eligible for mandatory health insurance. Other factors include economic growth, the enhancement of mandatory legislation and supervision, and the continuation of governments in expanding the scope of mandatory health insurance to include new categories, such as residents and visitors, and activating stricter regulatory mechanisms to ensure companies renew and provide insurance for their employees and families.
Rising Prices In response to a question about ongoing complaints regarding annual increases in health insurance policy prices and projections for the expected increase rate in 2026, Jaber said that the continuation of complaints about annual increases is due to a complex and interwoven set of factors affecting the insurance and healthcare market globally and locally. The most prominent of these factors are medical inflation, the rising cost of services and treatment, and the continuous increase in the prices of medicines and medical supplies, as well as modern diagnostic and treatment technologies, such as surgical robots and advanced devices. Other factors include excessive or unnecessary use of medical examinations or consultations, the imposition of new coverage requirements, or the expansion of basic benefits that insurance companies must provide.
Jaber, Chairman of the Health and Life Insurance Committee at the Emirates Insurance Authority, stated that general economic inflation affects all sectors, including healthcare and insurance, forcing companies to raise policy prices to maintain the sustainability and quality of their services. He pointed out that when the value of claims paid by an insurance company significantly exceeds the total collected premiums, companies are forced to raise policy prices to maintain a sustainable profit margin and ability to meet obligations.
Regarding price forecasts for 2026, Jaber predicted that the increase rate for health insurance policy prices will range from approximately 5% to 10%, with a possibility of a higher rate in case of sudden increases in treatment costs or new legislative changes. He added, "These estimates are approximate and depend on the prevailing economic and health conditions," confirming that insurance companies are striving to achieve a balance between providing comprehensive health coverage and ensuring service sustainability for clients.
Artificial Intelligence In a special interview with "Emirates Today," Jaber confirmed that there are continuous consultations with the regulatory body, represented by the Central Bank and health authorities, regarding rising prices and increased operating costs, and all initiatives aimed primarily at serving the insured.
He said that the application of artificial intelligence in the insurance sector will contribute to limiting cost increases, and thus reduce the rise in health insurance policy prices, in addition to increasing the quality of services provided, alongside addressing chronic diseases and insurance for the elderly.
Jaber emphasized the importance of raising awareness among customers and all related parties to limit unnecessary practices and excessive use of health insurance cards, as this plays a major role in increasing prices.
Excessive Drug Dispensing Jaber, Chairman of the Health and Life Insurance Committee at the Emirates Insurance Authority, stated that the sector still faces a number of factors that hinder achieving the desired operational efficiency, the most prominent of which are the continuation of unwise practices in using health insurance services, including the misuse of medical coverage by some beneficiaries, in addition to the inflation of medical bills and the rising costs of services provided.
He added: "Excessive drug dispensing is one of the main challenges that contribute to increasing the financial burden on insurance companies, which requires enhancing monitoring and medical audit mechanisms."
The Emirates Insurance Authority predicted that the increase rate for health insurance policy prices during the next year, 2026, will range from approximately 5% to 10%, with a possibility of a higher rate in case of sudden increases in treatment costs or new legislative changes.
