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Skipping doctor visits to save money? UAE experts say it can cost you more later
Experts said that the most common mistake residents make is choosing cheaper medical insurance plans without understanding what they lose
- PUBLISHED: Sun 25 Jan 2026, 6:00 AM
- By:
- SM Ayaz Zakir
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As health insurance costs in the UAE increase for some residents, experts are urging people not to delay seeking medical help, warning that postponing care can lead to bigger health problems and much higher costs later.
Insurance specialists said that when premiums, co-payments, or out-of-pocket expenses rise, many residents quietly change their behaviour. Instead of visiting a doctor early, they wait. Some skip follow-up appointments, delay blood tests, or ignore early symptoms.
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"People usually start by cutting back on outpatient care,” said Anas Mistareehi, general manager at E-sanad Insurance Brokers. “They delay routine consultations or tests because each visit feels expensive. But this often creates bigger medical issues later.”
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Where residents cut back
Experts said the services residents are most likely to delay include:
Routine doctor consultations
Blood tests and diagnostics
Preventive screenings
Physiotherapy and mental health support
These are frequent, day-to-day services where co-payments and limits are felt immediately.
“Outpatient care is where people feel the cost every time,” said Mistareehi. “Even small co-payments add up over a year, especially for families.”
Why delaying care can cost more
Mahdi Attya, insurance and commercial strategy leader at MSS Advisors, said that delaying care often turns manageable conditions into serious problems.
“Conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or cholesterol don’t go away if ignored,” he said. “When treatment is delayed, they often lead to complications that require hospitalisation or long-term medication.”
This behaviour increases healthcare costs for everyone. “When people delay care, claims become severe later,” said Attya. “That pushes overall healthcare spending higher, which eventually feeds into future premium increases.”
Most common mistake residents make
Experts said that the most common mistake residents make is choosing cheaper insurance plans without understanding what they lose.
“When people downgrade plans to save money, they may lose access to certain hospitals, face higher co-payments, or hit outpatient limits very quickly,” Attya said. “A cheaper plan can easily result in thousands of dirhams in unexpected expenses.”
Families, seniors feel the pressure most
Families with children and senior residents are especially affected. “Families visit doctors more often for children, and seniors need regular monitoring,” said Mistareehi. “When costs rise, these groups feel the impact faster because healthcare use is frequent.”
Attya added that health insurance is not something people buy hoping never to use. “Medical insurance is meant to be used. Small changes in costs or benefits show up quickly for people who rely on care regularly,” said Attya.
What residents should not delay
Even when worried about costs, experts said some things should never be postponed:
Emergency care
Treatment for chronic conditions
Essential medications
Inpatient and hospital coverage
“Delaying care may feel like saving money today. But it almost always costs more later,” said Mistareehi.
As residents prepare for renewals in 2026, Attya advised them to review policies early, understand benefits clearly, and seek advice if needed. “The key message is simple. Getting the right care at the right time is almost always cheaper and safer than waiting,” said Attya.
SM Ayaz Zakir is a Senior Correspondent with a flair for extraordinary stories. His playground? Every corner of the UAE. He often ventures into remote corners of the country to capture compelling news and human interest stories.
