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GlobeMed vs Thiqa

UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026

GlobeMed

tpa

8,457 providers

2 plans

Est. 1991

DHA, DOH, MOHAP regulated

Thiqa

premium

7,999 providers

1 plan

Est. 2005

DOH regulated

GlobeMed has 2 plans from AED 2,600 a year and 8,457 in-network providers in 8 cities. Thiqa has 1 plan and 7,999 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.

GlobeMed vs Thiqa — At a Glance

AttributeGlobeMedThiqa
Typetpapremium
Founded19912005
HeadquartersDubai (HQ Lebanon)Abu Dhabi
RegulatorsDHA, DOH, MOHAPDOH
Number of Plans21
Premium RangeAED 2,600 – 12,000AED 0 – 0
Total Network Size8,4577,999
Cities Covered88
DentalYesYes
OpticalYesYes
MaternityYesYes
Mental HealthYesYes
InternationalNoYes
Co-pay Range20%0%
Claims Phone04-425-3300800-42626

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

Network Comparison by City

CityGlobeMedvsThiqa
Dubai
4,461
vs
3,083
Abu Dhabi
1,889
vs
2,440
Sharjah
1,191
vs
913
Al Ain
375
vs
798
Ajman
232
vs
315
Ras Al Khaimah
171
vs
234
Fujairah
114
vs
170
Umm Al Quwain
24
vs
46

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

GlobeMed Plans

GlobeMed

GlobeMed Managed Essential

Basic

Employers using GlobeMed-administered plans for mandatory compliance

AED 2,600 – 4,800/yr

Annual limit: AED 250,000 · shared room · 20% co-pay

Dental
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
All-emirate TPA networkFast electronic claimsMultiple underwriter options

8,457 providers

View details →

GlobeMed

GlobeMed Managed Plus

Enhanced

Corporate groups 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
Extensive regional TPA networkDental and optical includedFlexible underwriter partnerships

8,457 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)

7,999 providers

View details →

Verdict

Choose GlobeMed 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.

GlobeMed vs Thiqa — FAQ

Which is better, GlobeMed or Thiqa?

It depends on your needs. GlobeMed has 8,457 providers across 8 cities and offers 2 plans starting from AED 2,600/yr. Thiqa has 7,999 providers across 8 cities with 1 plans from AED 0/yr. Choose GlobeMed 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 GlobeMed cheaper than Thiqa?

No, Thiqa's entry-level plan starts from AED 0/yr, while GlobeMed's cheapest plan begins at AED 2,600/yr. Pricing varies significantly by age, nationality, and plan tier, so obtain personalised quotes from both insurers.

Which has a bigger network in Dubai, GlobeMed or Thiqa?

GlobeMed has a larger Dubai network with 4,461 providers, compared to Thiqa's 3,083 providers. This includes hospitals, clinics, dental practices, and specialist centres listed in the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.

Does GlobeMed or Thiqa cover dental?

Both insurers offer dental coverage on their enhanced and premium plans. GlobeMed's dental sub-limit goes up to AED 3,500/yr, while Thiqa offers up to AED 0/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.

Can I switch from GlobeMed to Thiqa?

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

How do I compare GlobeMed and Thiqa plans?

Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare GlobeMed and Thiqa side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — GlobeMed starts from AED 2,600/yr, Thiqa from AED 0/yr, (2) Network size — 8,457 vs 7,999 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 GlobeMed and Thiqa or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.