Coronavirus cases in UAE to be treated free of cost, insurance not necessary

In all cases of novel coronavirus in the UAE, patients must be treated free of cost - regardless of whether they have insurance or not - health authorities have clarified.

Coronavirus outbreak: Complete coverage

According to a Dubai Health Authority (DHA) circular issued to hospitals - and based on directives from the Ministry of Health and Prevention (Mohap) - all DHA-licensed health facilities must consider suspected or confirmed cases of the 2019-nCoV as emergency cases.

The circular, a copy of which Khaleej Times has studied, said all health facilities must classify the cases in two categories: One for those with insurance coverage and another where insurance coverage is unavailable.

"If the patient has insurance, the cases shall be treated as emergencies according to insurance regulation and insurance companies will honour any claims received," said the circular.

For those who are not insured, "the cases shall still be considered emergencies and suspected or confirmed cases will not bear any payment of healthcare costs at any healthcare facilities", it added.

"This is to ensure the health and safety of the community and to contain patients with confirmed or suspected infection, and provide them with proper health services."

Currently there are five nCoV-positive patients in the UAE, including a four-member Chinese family and a Chinese tourist. All of them are being treated and in stable condition, according to authorities.

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com

There is no specific treatment. It is mainly supportive treatment that aims at reducing symptoms. #Coronavirus pic.twitter.com/Jb0Q9wjaKn

- ???? ????? ???? (@DHA_Dubai) February 5, 2020

Dhanusha Gokulan

Originally from India, Dhanusha Gokulan has been working as a journalist for 10 years. She has a keen interest in writing about issues that plague the common person, and will never turn down a human interest story. She completed her Bachelor in Arts in Journalism, Economics, and English Literature from Mangalore University in 2008. In her spare time, she dabbles with some singing/songwriting, loves travelling, and Audible is her favourite mobile application. Tweet at her @wordjunkie88