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GlobeMed vs Thiqa

UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026

GlobeMed

tpa

8,600 providers

2 plans

Est. 1991

DHA, HAAD, MOHAP regulated

Thiqa

premium

8,142 providers

1 plan

Est. 2005

HAAD regulated

GlobeMed has 2 plans starting from AED 2,600/yr with 8,600 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.

GlobeMed vs Thiqa — At a Glance

AttributeGlobeMedThiqa
Typetpapremium
Founded19912005
HeadquartersDubai (HQ Lebanon)Abu Dhabi
RegulatorsDHA, HAAD, MOHAPHAAD
Number of Plans21
Premium RangeAED 2,600 – 12,000AED 0 – 0
Total Network Size8,6008,142
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
4,550
vs
3,164
Abu Dhabi
1,926
vs
2,481
Sharjah
1,201
vs
922
Al Ain
378
vs
807
Ajman
235
vs
318
Ras Al Khaimah
171
vs
234
Fujairah
115
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

8,600 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

8,600 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 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 8,600 providers across 8 cities and offers 2 plans starting from AED 2,600/yr. Thiqa has 8,142 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 4,550 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 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 — 8,600 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 GlobeMed and Thiqa or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory, last verified March 2026.