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Aetna International vs Emirates Insurance Company

UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026

Aetna International

private

5,920 providers

2 plans

Est. 1853

DHA, HAAD regulated

Emirates Insurance Company

private

5,595 providers

2 plans

Est. 1982

DHA, MOHAP regulated

Aetna International has 2 plans starting from AED 7,000/yr with 5,920 providers across 8 cities. Emirates Insurance Company has 2 plans starting from AED 2,200/yr with 5,595 providers across 8 cities. Both insurers have their strongest presence in Dubai.

Aetna International vs Emirates Insurance Company — At a Glance

AttributeAetna InternationalEmirates Insurance Company
Typeprivateprivate
Founded18531982
HeadquartersDubaiAbu Dhabi
RegulatorsDHA, HAADDHA, MOHAP
Number of Plans22
Premium RangeAED 7,000 – 36,000AED 2,200 – 11,000
Total Network Size5,9205,595
Cities Covered88
DentalYesYes
OpticalYesYes
MaternityYesYes
Mental HealthYesYes
InternationalYesNo
Co-pay Range0% – 20%20%
Claims Phone800-423862800-364728

Coverage columns reflect whether at least one plan from the insurer includes that benefit. Premiums are indicative annual ranges.

Network Comparison by City

CityAetna InternationalvsEmirates Insurance Company
Dubai
3,714
vs
3,271
Abu Dhabi
1,250
vs
713
Sharjah
387
vs
898
Al Ain
218
vs
224
Ajman
146
vs
291
Ras Al Khaimah
112
vs
107
Fujairah
76
vs
72
Umm Al Quwain
17
vs
19

Provider counts from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory. Green highlights the city leader.

Aetna International Plans

Aetna International

Aetna Core Health

Enhanced

Expat professionals and families in the UAE

AED 7,000 – 13,000/yr

Annual limit: AED 1.0M · semi-private room · 20% co-pay

Dental (AED 4,000)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
International coverage includedCVS Health global networkMental health and EAP support

5,920 providers

View details →

Aetna International

Aetna Premier

Premium

Senior executives and HNW expats requiring global coverage

AED 19,000 – 36,000/yr

Annual limit: AED 2.0M · private room · 0% co-pay

Dental (AED 12,000)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Zero co-payPrivate roomWorldwide coverage including USA

5,920 providers

View details →

Emirates Insurance Company Plans

Emirates Insurance Company

Emirates Essential Health

Basic

Individuals and SMEs in Dubai and Northern Emirates

AED 2,200 – 4,000/yr

Annual limit: AED 150,000 · shared room · 20% co-pay

Dental
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
DHA compliantAffordable individual plansDubai and Sharjah network

5,595 providers

View details →

Emirates Insurance Company

Emirates Corporate Health

Enhanced

Corporate employees in Dubai and Northern Emirates

AED 5,000 – 11,000/yr

Annual limit: AED 500,000 · semi-private room · 20% co-pay

Dental (AED 3,000)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Dental and optical includedDubai and Northern Emirates coverageMental health support

5,595 providers

View details →

Verdict

Choose Aetna International if you need a larger provider network, more comprehensive coverage options. Choose Emirates Insurance Company if you prioritise lower entry-level premiums. Both are established insurers in the UAE market. The best choice depends on your employer's plan options, budget, required coverage, and preferred hospital network in your city.

Aetna International vs Emirates Insurance Company — FAQ

Which is better, Aetna International or Emirates Insurance Company?

It depends on your needs. Aetna International has 5,920 providers across 8 cities and offers 2 plans starting from AED 7,000/yr. Emirates Insurance Company has 5,595 providers across 8 cities with 2 plans from AED 2,200/yr. Choose Aetna International if you need a larger provider network, more comprehensive coverage options. Choose Emirates Insurance Company if you prioritise lower entry-level premiums.

Is Aetna International cheaper than Emirates Insurance Company?

No, Emirates Insurance Company's entry-level plan starts from AED 2,200/yr, while Aetna International's cheapest plan begins at AED 7,000/yr. Pricing varies significantly by age, nationality, and plan tier, so obtain personalised quotes from both insurers.

Which has a bigger network in Dubai, Aetna International or Emirates Insurance Company?

Aetna International has a larger Dubai network with 3,714 providers, compared to Emirates Insurance Company's 3,271 providers. This includes hospitals, clinics, dental practices, and specialist centres listed in the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.

Does Aetna International or Emirates Insurance Company cover dental?

Both insurers offer dental coverage on their enhanced and premium plans. Aetna International's dental sub-limit goes up to AED 12,000/yr, while Emirates Insurance Company offers up to AED 3,000/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.

Can I switch from Aetna International to Emirates Insurance Company?

Yes, you can switch insurers during your policy renewal period. In the UAE, health insurance is typically renewed annually. When switching from Aetna International to Emirates Insurance Company (or vice versa), be aware of: (1) Pre-existing condition waiting periods may restart — check the new insurer's policy, (2) Maternity waiting periods usually reset, (3) Any ongoing treatment authorisations need to be re-submitted. Coordinate with your employer's HR department if on a group plan. Both Aetna International and Emirates Insurance Company have dedicated claims and onboarding teams to facilitate the transition.

How do I compare Aetna International and Emirates Insurance Company plans?

Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare Aetna International and Emirates Insurance Company side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — Aetna International starts from AED 7,000/yr, Emirates Insurance Company from AED 2,200/yr, (2) Network size — 5,920 vs 5,595 providers, (3) Coverage — dental, optical, maternity, and mental health inclusion, (4) Co-pay percentages, and (5) Provider availability in your city. Scroll down for the full comparison table.

Disclaimer: Plan details, premiums, and network sizes are indicative, based on publicly available UAE insurance market data. Obtain personalised quotes from Aetna International and Emirates Insurance Company or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory, last verified March 2026.