Daman vs NAS (NextCare)
UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026
Daman
mandatory9,391 providers
3 plans
Est. 2005
DOH regulated
NAS (NextCare)
tpa10,345 providers
2 plans
Est. 1999
DHA, DOH, MOHAP regulated
Daman has 3 plans from AED 600 a year and 9,391 in-network providers in 8 cities. NAS (NextCare) has 2 plans from AED 2,500 a year and 10,345 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.
Daman vs NAS (NextCare) — At a Glance
| Attribute | Daman | NAS (NextCare) |
|---|---|---|
| Type | mandatory | tpa |
| Founded | 2005 | 1999 |
| Headquarters | Abu Dhabi | Dubai |
| Regulators | DOH | DHA, DOH, MOHAP |
| Number of Plans | 3 | 2 |
| Premium Range | AED 600 – 25,000 | AED 2,500 – 13,000 |
| Total Network Size | 9,391 | 10,345 |
| Cities Covered | 8 | 8 |
| Dental | Yes | Yes |
| Optical | Yes | Yes |
| Maternity | Yes | Yes |
| Mental Health | Yes | Yes |
| International | No | No |
| Co-pay Range | 0% – 20% | 20% |
| Claims Phone | 800-42626 | 800-627 |
Coverage columns reflect whether at least one plan from the insurer includes that benefit. Premiums are indicative annual ranges.
Network Comparison by City
| City | Daman | vs | NAS (NextCare) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | 3,996 | vs | 5,030 |
| Abu Dhabi | 2,451 | vs | 2,321 |
| Sharjah | 1,332 | vs | 1,605 |
| Al Ain | 791 | vs | 566 |
| Ajman | 358 | vs | 362 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 244 | vs | 248 |
| Fujairah | 168 | vs | 166 |
| Umm Al Quwain | 51 | vs | 47 |
Provider counts from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory. Green highlights the city leader.
Daman Plans
Daman
Daman Basic
Low-income workers and dependants in Abu Dhabi (mandatory scheme)
AED 600 – 750/yr
Annual limit: AED 250,000 · shared room · 20% co-pay
9,391 providers
View details →Daman
Daman Enhanced
Mid-salary employees and families in Abu Dhabi
AED 3,500 – 7,500/yr
Annual limit: AED 500,000 · semi-private room · 20% co-pay
9,391 providers
View details →Daman
Daman Premium
Senior employees and executives in Abu Dhabi
AED 12,000 – 25,000/yr
Annual limit: AED 1.0M · private room · 0% co-pay
9,391 providers
View details →NAS (NextCare) Plans
NAS (NextCare)
NextCare Essential
Mandatory compliance for employers across UAE
AED 2,500 – 4,800/yr
Annual limit: AED 250,000 · shared room · 20% co-pay
10,345 providers
View details →NAS (NextCare)
NextCare Gold
Corporate employees seeking comprehensive TPA-managed coverage
AED 6,000 – 13,000/yr
Annual limit: AED 750,000 · semi-private room · 20% co-pay
10,345 providers
View details →Verdict
Choose Daman if you need lower entry-level premiums, more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options. Choose NAS (NextCare) if you prioritise a larger provider network. 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.
Daman vs NAS (NextCare) — FAQ
Which is better, Daman or NAS (NextCare)?
It depends on your needs. Daman has 9,391 providers across 8 cities and offers 3 plans starting from AED 600/yr. NAS (NextCare) has 10,345 providers across 8 cities with 2 plans from AED 2,500/yr. Choose Daman if you need lower entry-level premiums, more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options. Choose NAS (NextCare) if you prioritise a larger provider network.
Is Daman cheaper than NAS (NextCare)?
Yes, Daman's entry-level plan starts from AED 600/yr, compared to NAS (NextCare)'s cheapest plan at AED 2,500/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, Daman or NAS (NextCare)?
NAS (NextCare) has a larger Dubai network with 5,030 providers, compared to Daman's 3,996 providers. Network sizes are based on the UAE Open Healthcare Directory data.
Does Daman or NAS (NextCare) cover dental?
Both insurers offer dental coverage on their enhanced and premium plans. Daman's dental sub-limit goes up to AED 7,500/yr, while NAS (NextCare) offers up to AED 4,000/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.
Can I switch from Daman to NAS (NextCare)?
Yes, you can switch insurers during your policy renewal period. In the UAE, health insurance is typically renewed annually. When switching from Daman to NAS (NextCare) (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 Daman and NAS (NextCare) have dedicated claims and onboarding teams to facilitate the transition.
How do I compare Daman and NAS (NextCare) plans?
Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare Daman and NAS (NextCare) side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — Daman starts from AED 600/yr, NAS (NextCare) from AED 2,500/yr, (2) Network size — 9,391 vs 10,345 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.
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Disclaimer: Plan details, premiums, and network sizes are indicative, based on publicly available UAE insurance market data. Obtain personalised quotes from Daman and NAS (NextCare) or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.