Healthcare professionals in the United Arab Emirates are issuing urgent warnings about the dangerous trend of residents postponing medical care to reduce immediate expenses. As insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs continue to rise, many individuals are opting to skip routine doctor visits, diagnostic tests, and preventive screenings—a strategy that experts confirm ultimately results in more severe health complications and substantially higher medical bills.
Insurance specialists have observed concerning behavioral shifts among policyholders facing increased financial pressures. Anas Mistareehi, General Manager at E-sanad Insurance Brokers, noted that outpatient services typically become the first casualty of cost-cutting measures. ‘Patients frequently defer routine consultations or essential testing because each visit represents an immediate financial burden,’ Mistareehi explained. ‘This short-term approach often culminates in the development of more serious medical conditions requiring extensive treatment.’
The most frequently neglected healthcare services include preventive screenings, blood tests, physiotherapy sessions, and mental health support—precisely the interventions that could identify and address health issues before they escalate. Mahdi Attya, Insurance and Commercial Strategy Leader at MSS Advisors, emphasized that chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and elevated cholesterol levels deteriorate without proper management. ‘Ignoring these conditions doesn’t make them disappear; it transforms them into acute problems demanding hospitalization and expensive long-term medication,’ Attya stated.
Experts identify the selection of inadequate insurance plans as a critical error made by cost-conscious residents. Choosing cheaper policies frequently leads to restricted hospital networks, elevated co-payment requirements, and insufficient outpatient coverage—all of which can generate unexpected expenses reaching thousands of dirhams. Families with children and senior citizens face particular vulnerability due to their increased healthcare utilization patterns.
Healthcare professionals stress that emergency care, chronic disease management, essential medications, and inpatient coverage should never be compromised regardless of financial considerations. Attya advises residents approaching insurance renewal periods to thoroughly evaluate their coverage options and seek professional guidance if necessary. ‘The fundamental principle remains unchanged: timely medical intervention proves both safer and more economical than deferred treatment that allows conditions to worsen,’ he concluded.