Dubai Hospitals Must Provide Emergency Care

Hospitals in Dubai Cannot Refuse Emergency Care

Many worry about what happens if a family member needs emergency medical care, but the hospital does not fall within their insurance network. This fear can be particularly strong for parents when their child's health is at stake. Questions may arise: What if the nearest hospital does not accept our insurance? Can they refuse care in an emergency?

According to Dubai laws, the answer is clear: emergency care cannot be refused, even if the hospital is outside the insurance network. Dubai's health insurance law explicitly mandates that in urgent cases, every hospital and medical provider is obligated to provide immediate care.

What does an emergency situation mean legally?

The term "emergency case" refers to a condition where the patient's life or health is in immediate danger. Examples include:

loss of consciousness,

severe injuries (e.g. fractures, internal bleeding),

breathing difficulties,

heart problems (e.g. suspected heart attack),

severe allergic reactions,

a high fever in a small child.

In these cases, the law clearly states that the hospital must provide care to the patient, regardless of which insurer they have a contract with or whether they even have insurance.

What does the law require from hospitals?

Article 7 of the Dubai Health Insurance Law, 2013 (Law Number 11) states:

"The health provider is obligated to provide healthcare services to the beneficiary in case of emergency until their life is no longer in danger, even if the provider is not part of the insurance network."

This provision ensures that emergency care cannot fall victim to financial or administrative barriers. Care takes precedence over all other considerations, including insurance coverage.

What does the law require from insurers?

Regulations also apply to insurers. According to Article 2 of the same law:

"The insurer must pay the cost of emergency healthcare, even if the care is provided by a non-network health provider, until the beneficiary's life is no longer in immediate danger."

Thus, if a patient enters the closest hospital due to an emergency—even if it does not fall within the insurer's network—the insurer must still cover the costs until stabilization. Afterwards, the patient can be transferred to another "in-network" facility, but only if no direct threat to life remains.

What if care is denied?

If a Dubai healthcare facility refuses emergency care citing lack of insurance or network exclusion, it is unlawful, and the affected individual can file a complaint with the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). The DHA places great emphasis on protecting patients' rights and can conduct strict investigations for such incidents.

For filing a complaint, it is advisable to:

retain medical documents,

document events chronologically,

provide the name of the institution, doctor, and any participant,

include witness statements if possible.

Complaints can be submitted online via the DHA website, with proceedings generally initiated within a few business days.

What can a parent do in advance?

Although it is reassuring that emergency care cannot be denied, it's important to consider a few actions:

Know the hospitals in your area and find out which ones accept your insurance.

Always carry your insurance card and identification documents for quick identification if needed.

If your child has basic insurance, consider whether a supplemental package with broader network coverage is available.

Learn how the emergency protocols of the specific hospital work, so you don't have to search for information when every minute counts.

Summary

In Dubai, everyone has the right to emergency medical care, regardless of the type or presence of insurance. The law clearly protects patients who need care in an emergency and holds both healthcare providers and insurers accountable. The key is that care for the patient should not be delayed or denied, and family members also have the right to proper care – even if it is outside the insurance network.

The transparency of Dubai's healthcare system and the protection of patient rights are increasingly important, which is comforting for those living in the city with young children, elderly family members, or relatives with chronic illnesses. Regulations that guarantee the protection of emergency care allow everyone to quickly and adequately receive help when truly needed.

(Article source: Based on Dubai Health Insurance Law.)