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AXA vs NAS (NextCare)

UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026

AXA

private

9,330 providers

3 plans

Est. 1985

DHA, HAAD, MOHAP regulated

NAS (NextCare)

tpa

10,492 providers

2 plans

Est. 1999

DHA, HAAD, MOHAP regulated

AXA has 3 plans starting from AED 3,000/yr with 9,330 providers across 8 cities. NAS (NextCare) has 2 plans starting from AED 2,500/yr with 10,492 providers across 8 cities. Both insurers have their strongest presence in Dubai.

AXA vs NAS (NextCare) — At a Glance

AttributeAXANAS (NextCare)
Typeprivatetpa
Founded19851999
HeadquartersDubai (Gulf HQ)Dubai
RegulatorsDHA, HAAD, MOHAPDHA, HAAD, MOHAP
Number of Plans32
Premium RangeAED 3,000 – 35,000AED 2,500 – 13,000
Total Network Size9,33010,492
Cities Covered88
DentalYesYes
OpticalYesYes
MaternityYesYes
Mental HealthYesYes
InternationalYesNo
Co-pay Range0% – 20%20%
Claims Phone800-292800-627

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

Network Comparison by City

CityAXAvsNAS (NextCare)
Dubai
4,984
vs
5,118
Abu Dhabi
2,139
vs
2,355
Sharjah
1,133
vs
1,617
Al Ain
429
vs
572
Ajman
269
vs
368
Ras Al Khaimah
216
vs
248
Fujairah
133
vs
167
Umm Al Quwain
27
vs
47

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

AXA Plans

AXA

AXA SmartHealth Essential

Basic

Individuals and small companies meeting mandatory requirements

AED 3,000 – 5,500/yr

Annual limit: AED 250,000 · shared room · 20% co-pay

Dental
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
DHA and HAAD compliantMulti-emirate network24/7 AXA customer service

9,330 providers

View details →

AXA

AXA SmartHealth Gold

Enhanced

Corporate employees and families seeking comprehensive coverage

AED 7,000 – 14,000/yr

Annual limit: AED 750,000 · semi-private room · 20% co-pay

Dental (AED 5,000)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Wide private hospital networkAlternative medicine coveredDental and optical included

9,330 providers

View details →

AXA

AXA SmartHealth Platinum

Premium

Senior executives and high-net-worth individuals

AED 18,000 – 35,000/yr

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

Dental (AED 10,000)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Zero co-payPrivate roomInternational coverage

9,330 providers

View details →

NAS (NextCare) Plans

NAS (NextCare)

NextCare Essential

Basic

Mandatory compliance for employers across UAE

AED 2,500 – 4,800/yr

Annual limit: AED 250,000 · shared room · 20% co-pay

Dental
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Multi-emirate compliantReal-time claims processingExtensive UAE network

10,492 providers

View details →

NAS (NextCare)

NextCare Gold

Enhanced

Corporate employees seeking comprehensive TPA-managed coverage

AED 6,000 – 13,000/yr

Annual limit: AED 750,000 · semi-private room · 20% co-pay

Dental (AED 4,000)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Largest TPA network in UAEDental and optical includedAlternative medicine covered

10,492 providers

View details →

Verdict

Choose AXA if you need more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options. Choose NAS (NextCare) if you prioritise a larger provider network, 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.

AXA vs NAS (NextCare) — FAQ

Which is better, AXA or NAS (NextCare)?

It depends on your needs. AXA has 9,330 providers across 8 cities and offers 3 plans starting from AED 3,000/yr. NAS (NextCare) has 10,492 providers across 8 cities with 2 plans from AED 2,500/yr. Choose AXA if you need more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options. Choose NAS (NextCare) if you prioritise a larger provider network, lower entry-level premiums.

Is AXA cheaper than NAS (NextCare)?

No, NAS (NextCare)'s entry-level plan starts from AED 2,500/yr, while AXA's cheapest plan begins at AED 3,000/yr. Pricing varies significantly by age, nationality, and plan tier, so obtain personalised quotes from both insurers.

Which has a bigger network in Dubai, AXA or NAS (NextCare)?

NAS (NextCare) has a larger Dubai network with 5,118 providers, compared to AXA's 4,984 providers. Network sizes are based on the UAE Open Healthcare Directory data.

Does AXA or NAS (NextCare) cover dental?

Both insurers offer dental coverage on their enhanced and premium plans. AXA's dental sub-limit goes up to AED 10,000/yr, while NAS (NextCare) offers up to AED 4,000/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.

Can I switch from AXA to NAS (NextCare)?

Yes, you can switch insurers during your policy renewal period. In the UAE, health insurance is typically renewed annually. When switching from AXA to NAS (NextCare) (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 AXA and NAS (NextCare) have dedicated claims and onboarding teams to facilitate the transition.

How do I compare AXA and NAS (NextCare) plans?

Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare AXA and NAS (NextCare) side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — AXA starts from AED 3,000/yr, NAS (NextCare) from AED 2,500/yr, (2) Network size — 9,330 vs 10,492 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 AXA and NAS (NextCare) or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory, last verified March 2026.