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Cigna vs Now Health International

UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026

Cigna

private

8,960 providers

3 plans

Est. 1982

DHA, HAAD, MOHAP regulated

Now Health International

private

3,418 providers

2 plans

Est. 2011

DHA, HAAD regulated

Cigna has 3 plans starting from AED 3,500/yr with 8,960 providers across 8 cities. Now Health International has 2 plans starting from AED 5,500/yr with 3,418 providers across 8 cities. Both insurers have their strongest presence in Dubai.

Cigna vs Now Health International — At a Glance

AttributeCignaNow Health International
Typeprivateprivate
Founded19822011
HeadquartersDubaiDubai
RegulatorsDHA, HAAD, MOHAPDHA, HAAD
Number of Plans32
Premium RangeAED 3,500 – 40,000AED 5,500 – 28,000
Total Network Size8,9603,418
Cities Covered88
DentalYesYes
OpticalYesYes
MaternityYesYes
Mental HealthYesYes
InternationalYesYes
Co-pay Range0% – 20%0% – 20%
Claims Phone800-244627800-669

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

Network Comparison by City

CityCignavsNow Health International
Dubai
4,900
vs
2,455
Abu Dhabi
2,121
vs
394
Sharjah
958
vs
258
Al Ain
389
vs
122
Ajman
257
vs
94
Ras Al Khaimah
184
vs
49
Fujairah
117
vs
37
Umm Al Quwain
34
vs
9

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 →

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

3,418 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

3,418 providers

View details →

Verdict

Choose Cigna 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.

Cigna vs Now Health International — FAQ

Which is better, Cigna or Now Health International?

It depends on your needs. Cigna has 8,960 providers across 8 cities and offers 3 plans starting from AED 3,500/yr. Now Health International has 3,418 providers across 8 cities with 2 plans from AED 5,500/yr. Choose Cigna 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 Cigna cheaper than Now Health International?

Yes, Cigna's entry-level plan starts from AED 3,500/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, Cigna or Now Health International?

Cigna has a larger Dubai network with 4,900 providers, compared to Now Health International's 2,455 providers. This includes hospitals, clinics, dental practices, and specialist centres listed in the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.

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

Can I switch from Cigna 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 Cigna 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 Cigna and Now Health International have dedicated claims and onboarding teams to facilitate the transition.

How do I compare Cigna and Now Health International plans?

Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare Cigna and Now Health International side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — Cigna starts from AED 3,500/yr, Now Health International from AED 5,500/yr, (2) Network size — 8,960 vs 3,418 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 Now Health International or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory, last verified March 2026.