Amid circulating WhatsApp messages forecasting substantial health insurance premium increases of 18-25% for UAE residents starting January 2026, industry authorities have moved to clarify the situation, characterizing the alarm as largely unfounded. According to insurance specialists, the notion of a blanket price surge is misleading, with actual adjustments expected to reflect individual circumstances rather than arbitrary calendar-year hikes.
Toshita Chauhan, Chief Business Officer for General Insurance at Policybazaar.ae, emphasized the personalized nature of premium calculations, stating: “Health insurance pricing in the UAE is individualized and depends on factors such as age, claims history, benefits chosen, and renewal timing. For most residents, premiums are expected to remain stable for now.”
While acknowledging the reality of medical inflation, Anas Mistareehi, CEO of eSanad, placed current healthcare cost increases at approximately 4-8% annually—significantly below the panic-inducing figures circulating through digital channels. He noted that competitive market dynamics are helping moderate price adjustments, with some insurers actually enhancing policy terms to maintain customer loyalty.
The UAE’s basic health insurance scheme remains unaffected by any increases, maintaining its fixed annual rate of Dh320 as confirmed by regulatory authorities. However, families and senior citizens may experience more noticeable adjustments due to higher healthcare utilization patterns, with potential annual increases ranging from Dh1,200-2,500 for typical families and Dh1,600-4,000+ for elderly residents.
Industry experts caution that panic-driven decisions—such as downgrading coverage or delaying renewals—could prove more financially damaging than moderate premium adjustments. Such actions may result in reduced hospital access, compromised emergency coverage, or inadequate chronic care protection.
For those renewing policies in early 2026, specialists recommend initiating the process well before year-end 2025 to secure optimal terms and avoid last-minute constraints. Beyond premium amounts, consumers should vigilantly monitor changes to co-payment requirements, outpatient limits, pharmacy caps, and hospital network compositions that may effectively increase out-of-pocket expenses.
The consensus among insurance professionals underscores the critical importance of selecting coverage based on comprehensive benefits rather than price alone, as inadequate protection can ultimately generate substantially higher personal healthcare costs when medical attention becomes necessary.