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Cigna vs Thiqa

UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026

Cigna

private

8,960 providers

3 plans

Est. 1982

DHA, HAAD, MOHAP regulated

Thiqa

premium

8,142 providers

1 plan

Est. 2005

HAAD regulated

Cigna has 3 plans starting from AED 3,500/yr with 8,960 providers across 8 cities. Thiqa has 1 plan starting from AED 0/yr with 8,142 providers across 8 cities. Both insurers have their strongest presence in Dubai.

Cigna vs Thiqa — At a Glance

AttributeCignaThiqa
Typeprivatepremium
Founded19822005
HeadquartersDubaiAbu Dhabi
RegulatorsDHA, HAAD, MOHAPHAAD
Number of Plans31
Premium RangeAED 3,500 – 40,000AED 0 – 0
Total Network Size8,9608,142
Cities Covered88
DentalYesYes
OpticalYesYes
MaternityYesYes
Mental HealthYesYes
InternationalYesYes
Co-pay Range0% – 20%0%
Claims Phone800-244627800-42626

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

Network Comparison by City

CityCignavsThiqa
Dubai
4,900
vs
3,164
Abu Dhabi
2,121
vs
2,481
Sharjah
958
vs
922
Al Ain
389
vs
807
Ajman
257
vs
318
Ras Al Khaimah
184
vs
234
Fujairah
117
vs
170
Umm Al Quwain
34
vs
46

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 →

Thiqa Plans

Thiqa

Thiqa

VIP

UAE nationals and their dependants in Abu Dhabi

Government-funded

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

Dental
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Unlimited annual coverageZero co-pay across all servicesInternational treatment coverage (with approval)

8,142 providers

View details →

Verdict

Choose Cigna if you need a larger provider network, more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options. Choose Thiqa 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 Thiqa — FAQ

Which is better, Cigna or Thiqa?

It depends on your needs. Cigna has 8,960 providers across 8 cities and offers 3 plans starting from AED 3,500/yr. Thiqa has 8,142 providers across 8 cities with 1 plans from AED 0/yr. Choose Cigna if you need a larger provider network, more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options. Choose Thiqa if you prioritise strong coverage and established reputation.

Is Cigna cheaper than Thiqa?

No, Thiqa's entry-level plan starts from AED 0/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 Thiqa?

Cigna has a larger Dubai network with 4,900 providers, compared to Thiqa's 3,164 providers. This includes hospitals, clinics, dental practices, and specialist centres listed in the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.

Does Cigna or Thiqa 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 Thiqa offers up to AED 0/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.

Can I switch from Cigna to Thiqa?

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

How do I compare Cigna and Thiqa plans?

Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare Cigna and Thiqa side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — Cigna starts from AED 3,500/yr, Thiqa from AED 0/yr, (2) Network size — 8,960 vs 8,142 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 Thiqa or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory, last verified March 2026.