5 Tips for SMEs when Choosing Health Insurance in UAE

In the UAE's competitive business environment, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) comprise over 94% of all companies across the nation and employ more than 86% of the private sector's workforce.

In Dubai specifically, SMEs represent nearly 95% of all business entities and employ 42% of the workforce. The Ministry of Economy provided these figures, which were recently featured in the Khaleej Times.
Offering robust health insurance benefits is crucial to attracting and retaining top talent in such a vibrant market. These benefits enhance your company's competitiveness and are key to its success.

1. Assess Industry-Specific Needs
Understanding the specific risks associated with your industry is important; it's crucial when choosing the right health insurance. Different work environments, like construction sites or office settings, have distinct challenges and hazards. By aligning your insurance with the risks specific to various occupations, you can provide both cost-efficient and comprehensive protection, making your employees feel more secure and valued.

2. Ensure Access to a Comprehensive Provider Network
Access to a wide network of healthcare providers is essential. A broad provider network ensures that your employees can access top-tier medical services wherever they are, which is vital for maintaining their health and providing peace of mind for the employees and the business.

3. Include Coverage for Pre-existing Conditions
Consider plans that cover pre-existing medical conditions to ensure all employees receive adequate healthcare. This coverage is essential to secure a healthy, productive workforce, reassuring employees who join with pre-existing conditions are not excluded from receiving the necessary care.

4. Promote Employee-Centric Health Programs
The World Health Organization reports that about 422 million people worldwide have diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally. 
When selecting health insurance, it's essential to focus on plans emphasising comprehensive wellness alongside managing illnesses. Chronic diseases such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and heart disease are prevalent and require ongoing management. 

Given these statistics, it is beneficial for SMEs to choose insurance plans incorporating disease management programs. These programs should offer medical treatment and encourage lifestyle modifications and symptom management to improve overall health outcomes.

Case management and access to second medical opinions
Additionally, incorporating services like case management and access to second medical opinions can further strengthen these health plans. Case management helps navigate complex healthcare systems and manage chronic conditions more effectively. At the same time, second medical opinions ensure that employees receive the best possible advice for their diagnoses and treatment plans.

5. Consider Policy Add-ons
Look beyond basic coverage to include benefits that meet the diverse needs of your workforce. The American Optometric Association highlights that 14% of visits to eye care specialists are linked to computer use and that untreated vision issues from such use can negatively impact employee performance and comfort. Useful add-ons can include dental and vision, ultimately impacting productivity and job satisfaction.

GIG Gulf – SME Health Insurance Solutions for Talent Retention
Our approach at GIG Gulf is designed to enhance employee retention through superior health insurance offerings:

- Rapid Approval Processes: We ensure quick turnaround times for medical approvals, significantly reducing your employees' wait times and enhancing their satisfaction and productivity. Members can expect a turn-around time of 1 hour to receive the necessary approvals.

- Value-Added Services through MyGIG App: Our app provides discounts with trusted providers and makes all healthcare information readily available, adding value and reducing costs for employers.

- Customizable Coverage Tiers: We provide coverage options suited for all levels of your organisation, ensuring comprehensive care that meets everyone's needs.

Choosing the right health plan is a collaborative effort. Our team of experts will guide you through the complexities of this process, ensuring that your choices align with both financial constraints and employee needs. We're committed to helping you plan for both present and future health challenges.

Conclusion
For SMEs in the UAE, selecting the right health insurance is a big decision that impacts current employee satisfaction and future recruitment and retention. With our comprehensive SME health insurance solutions at GIG Gulf, we're dedicated to providing your enterprise with health insurance that supports your employees' health and your business’s growth.

Our team is ready to help you make a decision that ensures a healthy workforce and a robust bottom line. To know more about our SME products, click here