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Cigna vs MedNet

UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026

Cigna

private

8,805 providers

3 plans

Est. 1982

DHA, DOH, MOHAP regulated

MedNet

tpa

493 providers

2 plans

Est. 1991

DHA, DOH regulated

Cigna has 3 plans from AED 3,500 a year and 8,805 in-network providers in 8 cities. MedNet has 2 plans from AED 2,800 a year and 493 in-network providers in 7 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.

Cigna vs MedNet — At a Glance

AttributeCignaMedNet
Typeprivatetpa
Founded19821991
HeadquartersDubaiDubai
RegulatorsDHA, DOH, MOHAPDHA, DOH
Number of Plans32
Premium RangeAED 3,500 – 40,000AED 2,800 – 12,000
Total Network Size8,805493
Cities Covered87
DentalYesYes
OpticalYesYes
MaternityYesYes
Mental HealthYesYes
InternationalYesNo
Co-pay Range0% – 20%20%
Phone (from the insurer's website)8001 CIGNA (800124462)800 4882

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

Network Comparison by City

CityCignavsMedNet
Dubai
4,798
vs
270
Abu Dhabi
2,082
vs
76
Sharjah
952
vs
99
Al Ain
384
vs
0
Ajman
255
vs
22
Ras Al Khaimah
184
vs
19
Fujairah
116
vs
4
Umm Al Quwain
34
vs
3

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

Cigna Plans

Cigna

Cigna Essential Care

Basic

Individuals and small businesses meeting UAE mandatory requirements

AED 3,500 – 6,000/yr

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

Dental
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Cigna telehealth includedMulti-emirate coverage

8,805 providers

View details →

Cigna

Cigna Global Health Options

Enhanced

Expat professionals and families wanting flexible global-local coverage

AED 8,000 – 16,000/yr

Annual limit: AED 1.0M · semi-private room · 10% co-pay

Dental (AED 5,000)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
International coverage for emergenciesLow 10% co-payTelehealth consultations included

8,805 providers

View details →

Cigna

Cigna Global Health Platinum

Premium

C-suite executives and high-net-worth families

AED 20,000 – 40,000/yr

Annual limit: Unlimited · private room · 0% co-pay

Dental (AED 15,000)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Unlimited annual coverageZero co-pay globallyWorldwide coverage including USA

8,805 providers

View details →

MedNet Plans

MedNet

MedNet Managed Essential

Basic

Companies using MedNet-administered plans for mandatory compliance

AED 2,800 – 5,000/yr

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

Dental
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Wide TPA networkFast digital claimsMulti-insurer options

493 providers

View details →

MedNet

MedNet Managed Plus

Enhanced

Mid-size companies seeking enhanced TPA-managed coverage

AED 5,500 – 12,000/yr

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

Dental (AED 3,500)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Large managed networkDental and optical includedFlexible underwriter options

493 providers

View details →

Verdict

Choose Cigna if you need a larger provider network, more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options, presence in 8 cities. Choose MedNet 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.

Cigna vs MedNet — FAQ

Which is better, Cigna or MedNet?

It depends on your needs. Cigna has 8,805 providers across 8 cities and offers 3 plans starting from AED 3,500/yr. MedNet has 493 providers across 7 cities with 2 plans from AED 2,800/yr. Choose Cigna if you need a larger provider network, more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options, presence in 8 cities. Choose MedNet if you prioritise lower entry-level premiums.

Is Cigna cheaper than MedNet?

No, MedNet's entry-level plan starts from AED 2,800/yr, while Cigna's cheapest plan begins at AED 3,500/yr. Pricing varies significantly by age, nationality, and plan tier, so obtain personalised quotes from both insurers.

Which has a bigger network in Dubai, Cigna or MedNet?

Cigna has a larger Dubai network with 4,798 providers, compared to MedNet's 270 providers. This includes hospitals, clinics, dental practices, and specialist centres listed in the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.

Does Cigna or MedNet cover dental?

Both insurers offer dental coverage on their enhanced and premium plans. Cigna's dental sub-limit goes up to AED 15,000/yr, while MedNet offers up to AED 3,500/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.

Can I switch from Cigna to MedNet?

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

How do I compare Cigna and MedNet plans?

Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare Cigna and MedNet side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — Cigna starts from AED 3,500/yr, MedNet from AED 2,800/yr, (2) Network size — 8,805 vs 493 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 Cigna and MedNet or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.