Aetna International vs Thiqa
UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026
Aetna International
private6,001 providers
2 plans
Est. 1853
DHA, HAAD regulated
Thiqa
premium8,241 providers
1 plan
Est. 2005
HAAD regulated
Aetna International has 2 plans starting from AED 7,000/yr with 6,001 providers across 8 cities. Thiqa has 1 plan starting from AED 0/yr with 8,241 providers across 8 cities. Both insurers have their strongest presence in Dubai.
Aetna International vs Thiqa — At a Glance
| Attribute | Aetna International | Thiqa |
|---|---|---|
| Type | private | premium |
| Founded | 1853 | 2005 |
| Headquarters | Dubai | Abu Dhabi |
| Regulators | DHA, HAAD | HAAD |
| Number of Plans | 2 | 1 |
| Premium Range | AED 7,000 – 36,000 | AED 0 – 0 |
| Total Network Size | 6,001 | 8,241 |
| Cities Covered | 8 | 8 |
| Dental | Yes | Yes |
| Optical | Yes | Yes |
| Maternity | Yes | Yes |
| Mental Health | Yes | Yes |
| International | Yes | Yes |
| Co-pay Range | 0% – 20% | 0% |
| Claims Phone | 800-423862 | 800-42626 |
Coverage columns reflect whether at least one plan from the insurer includes that benefit. Premiums are indicative annual ranges.
Network Comparison by City
| City | Aetna International | vs | Thiqa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | 3,779 | vs | 3,226 |
| Abu Dhabi | 1,252 | vs | 2,483 |
| Sharjah | 391 | vs | 928 |
| Al Ain | 221 | vs | 821 |
| Ajman | 146 | vs | 324 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 116 | vs | 241 |
| Fujairah | 78 | vs | 171 |
| Umm Al Quwain | 18 | vs | 47 |
Provider counts from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory. Green highlights the city leader.
Aetna International Plans
Aetna International
Aetna Core Health
Expat professionals and families in the UAE
AED 7,000 – 13,000/yr
Annual limit: AED 1.0M · semi-private room · 20% co-pay
6,001 providers
View details →Aetna International
Aetna Premier
Senior executives and HNW expats requiring global coverage
AED 19,000 – 36,000/yr
Annual limit: AED 2.0M · private room · 0% co-pay
6,001 providers
View details →Thiqa Plans
Thiqa
Thiqa
UAE nationals and their dependants in Abu Dhabi
Government-funded
Annual limit: Unlimited · private room · 0% co-pay
8,241 providers
View details →Verdict
Choose Aetna International if you need more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options. Choose Thiqa if you prioritise a larger provider network. 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 Thiqa — FAQ
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Disclaimer: Plan details, premiums, and network sizes are indicative, based on publicly available UAE insurance market data. Obtain personalised quotes from Aetna International and Thiqa or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory, last verified March 2026.