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Emirates Insurance Company vs IRIS Health

UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026

Emirates Insurance Company

private

5,486 providers

2 plans

Est. 1982

DHA, MOHAP regulated

IRIS Health

tpa

6 providers

2 plans

Est. 2003

DHA, DOH regulated

Emirates Insurance Company has 2 plans from AED 2,200 a year and 5,486 in-network providers in 8 cities. IRIS Health has 2 plans from AED 2,800 a year and 6 in-network providers in 2 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.

Emirates Insurance Company vs IRIS Health — At a Glance

AttributeEmirates Insurance CompanyIRIS Health
Typeprivatetpa
Founded19822003
HeadquartersAbu DhabiDubai
RegulatorsDHA, MOHAPDHA, DOH
Number of Plans22
Premium RangeAED 2,200 – 11,000AED 2,800 – 11,500
Total Network Size5,4866
Cities Covered82
DentalYesYes
OpticalYesYes
MaternityYesYes
Mental HealthYesYes
InternationalNoNo
Co-pay Range20%20%
Claims Phone800-36472804-340-0220

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

Network Comparison by City

CityEmirates Insurance CompanyvsIRIS Health
Dubai
3,189
vs
5
Sharjah
890
vs
1
Abu Dhabi
698
vs
0
Ajman
289
vs
0
Al Ain
222
vs
0
Ras Al Khaimah
107
vs
0
Fujairah
72
vs
0
Umm Al Quwain
19
vs
0

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

Emirates Insurance Company Plans

Emirates Insurance Company

Emirates Essential Health

Basic

Individuals and SMEs in Dubai and Northern Emirates

AED 2,200 – 4,000/yr

Annual limit: AED 150,000 · shared room · 20% co-pay

Dental
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Affordable individual plansDubai and Sharjah network

5,486 providers

View details →

Emirates Insurance Company

Emirates Corporate Health

Enhanced

Corporate employees in Dubai and Northern Emirates

AED 5,000 – 11,000/yr

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

Dental (AED 3,000)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Dental and optical includedDubai and Northern Emirates coverageMental health support

5,486 providers

View details →

IRIS Health Plans

IRIS Health

IRIS Managed Essential

Basic

Companies using IRIS-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
Quality-focused TPAStrong provider credentialingTailored programme design

6 providers

View details →

IRIS Health

IRIS Managed Plus

Enhanced

Corporate groups seeking personalised TPA-managed coverage

AED 5,500 – 11,500/yr

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

Dental (AED 3,500)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Customised health programmesDental and optical includedProvider quality monitoring

6 providers

View details →

Verdict

Choose Emirates Insurance Company if you need a larger provider network, lower entry-level premiums, presence in 8 cities. Choose IRIS Health 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.

Emirates Insurance Company vs IRIS Health — FAQ

Which is better, Emirates Insurance Company or IRIS Health?

It depends on your needs. Emirates Insurance Company has 5,486 providers across 8 cities and offers 2 plans starting from AED 2,200/yr. IRIS Health has 6 providers across 2 cities with 2 plans from AED 2,800/yr. Choose Emirates Insurance Company if you need a larger provider network, lower entry-level premiums, presence in 8 cities. Choose IRIS Health if you prioritise strong coverage and established reputation.

Is Emirates Insurance Company cheaper than IRIS Health?

Yes, Emirates Insurance Company's entry-level plan starts from AED 2,200/yr, compared to IRIS Health's cheapest plan at AED 2,800/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, Emirates Insurance Company or IRIS Health?

Emirates Insurance Company has a larger Dubai network with 3,189 providers, compared to IRIS Health's 5 providers. This includes hospitals, clinics, dental practices, and specialist centres listed in the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.

Does Emirates Insurance Company or IRIS Health cover dental?

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

Can I switch from Emirates Insurance Company to IRIS Health?

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

How do I compare Emirates Insurance Company and IRIS Health plans?

Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare Emirates Insurance Company and IRIS Health side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — Emirates Insurance Company starts from AED 2,200/yr, IRIS Health from AED 2,800/yr, (2) Network size — 5,486 vs 6 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 Emirates Insurance Company and IRIS Health or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.