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AXA vs Now Health International

UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026

AXA

private

9,190 providers

3 plans

Est. 1985

DHA, DOH, MOHAP regulated

Now Health International

private

3,340 providers

2 plans

Est. 2011

DHA, DOH regulated

AXA has 3 plans from AED 3,000 a year and 9,190 in-network providers in 8 cities. Now Health International has 2 plans from AED 5,500 a year and 3,340 in-network providers in 8 cities. Both insurers have the most providers in Dubai. Network counts are providers in the UAE Open Healthcare Directory that list each insurer; premiums are indicative.

AXA vs Now Health International — At a Glance

AttributeAXANow Health International
Typeprivateprivate
Founded19852011
HeadquartersDubai (Gulf HQ)Dubai
RegulatorsDHA, DOH, MOHAPDHA, DOH
Number of Plans32
Premium RangeAED 3,000 – 35,000AED 5,500 – 28,000
Total Network Size9,1903,340
Cities Covered88
DentalYesYes
OpticalYesYes
MaternityYesYes
Mental HealthYesYes
InternationalYesYes
Co-pay Range0% – 20%0% – 20%
Phone (from the insurer's website)800 292See www.now-health.com

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

Network Comparison by City

CityAXAvsNow Health International
Dubai
4,900
vs
2,391
Abu Dhabi
2,098
vs
387
Sharjah
1,123
vs
254
Al Ain
427
vs
120
Ajman
266
vs
93
Ras Al Khaimah
216
vs
49
Fujairah
133
vs
37
Umm Al Quwain
27
vs
9

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
Multi-emirate network24/7 AXA customer service

9,190 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

9,190 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

9,190 providers

View details →

Now Health International Plans

Now Health International

Now Health WorldCare Essential

Enhanced

Expat professionals and freelancers seeking modular coverage

AED 5,500 – 10,000/yr

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

Dental
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Modular — add dental/optical as ridersInternational emergency coverageOnline member portal

3,340 providers

View details →

Now Health International

Now Health WorldCare Prestige

Premium

Executives and families wanting comprehensive worldwide cover

AED 14,000 – 28,000/yr

Annual limit: AED 1.5M · private room · 0% co-pay

Dental (AED 7,500)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Zero co-payPrivate roomWorldwide coverage

3,340 providers

View details →

Verdict

Choose AXA if you need a larger provider network, lower entry-level premiums, more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options. Choose Now Health International if you prioritise strong coverage and established reputation. 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 Now Health International — FAQ

Which is better, AXA or Now Health International?

It depends on your needs. AXA has 9,190 providers across 8 cities and offers 3 plans starting from AED 3,000/yr. Now Health International has 3,340 providers across 8 cities with 2 plans from AED 5,500/yr. Choose AXA if you need a larger provider network, lower entry-level premiums, more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options. Choose Now Health International if you prioritise strong coverage and established reputation.

Is AXA cheaper than Now Health International?

Yes, AXA's entry-level plan starts from AED 3,000/yr, compared to Now Health International's cheapest plan at AED 5,500/yr. However, plan pricing varies by age, nationality, visa type, and employer. Enhanced and premium tiers may differ. Always obtain a personalised quote from each insurer.

Which has a bigger network in Dubai, AXA or Now Health International?

AXA has a larger Dubai network with 4,900 providers, compared to Now Health International's 2,391 providers. This includes hospitals, clinics, dental practices, and specialist centres listed in the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.

Does AXA or Now Health International 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 Now Health International offers up to AED 7,500/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.

Can I switch from AXA to Now Health International?

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

How do I compare AXA and Now Health International plans?

Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare AXA and Now Health International side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — AXA starts from AED 3,000/yr, Now Health International from AED 5,500/yr, (2) Network size — 9,190 vs 3,340 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 Now Health International or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.