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Cigna vs MedNet

UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026

Cigna

private

8,960 providers

3 plans

Est. 1982

DHA, HAAD, MOHAP regulated

MedNet

tpa

10,137 providers

2 plans

Est. 1991

DHA, HAAD regulated

Cigna has 3 plans starting from AED 3,500/yr with 8,960 providers across 8 cities. MedNet has 2 plans starting from AED 2,800/yr with 10,137 providers across 8 cities. Both insurers have their strongest presence in Dubai.

Cigna vs MedNet — At a Glance

AttributeCignaMedNet
Typeprivatetpa
Founded19821991
HeadquartersDubaiDubai
RegulatorsDHA, HAAD, MOHAPDHA, HAAD
Number of Plans32
Premium RangeAED 3,500 – 40,000AED 2,800 – 12,000
Total Network Size8,96010,137
Cities Covered88
DentalYesYes
OpticalYesYes
MaternityYesYes
Mental HealthYesYes
InternationalYesNo
Co-pay Range0% – 20%20%
Claims Phone800-24462704-325-5225

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
4,900
vs
5,107
Abu Dhabi
2,121
vs
2,210
Sharjah
958
vs
1,516
Al Ain
389
vs
543
Ajman
257
vs
348
Ras Al Khaimah
184
vs
232
Fujairah
117
vs
137
Umm Al Quwain
34
vs
44

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
DHA and HAAD compliantCigna telehealth includedMulti-emirate coverage

8,960 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

8,960 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

8,960 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

10,137 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

10,137 providers

View details →

Verdict

Choose Cigna if you need more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options. Choose MedNet 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.

Cigna vs MedNet — FAQ

Which is better, Cigna or MedNet?

It depends on your needs. Cigna has 8,960 providers across 8 cities and offers 3 plans starting from AED 3,500/yr. MedNet has 10,137 providers across 8 cities with 2 plans from AED 2,800/yr. Choose Cigna if you need more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options. Choose MedNet if you prioritise a larger provider network, 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?

MedNet has a larger Dubai network with 5,107 providers, compared to Cigna's 4,900 providers. Network sizes are based on the UAE Open Healthcare Directory data.

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 — 8,960 vs 10,137 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, last verified March 2026.