Question 1

Which is better, IRIS Health or Now Health International?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your needs. IRIS Health has 5,962 providers across 8 cities and offers 2 plans starting from AED 2,800/yr. Now Health International has 3,470 providers across 8 cities with 2 plans from AED 5,500/yr. Choose IRIS Health if you need a larger provider network, lower entry-level premiums. Choose Now Health International if you prioritise more comprehensive coverage options.

Question 2

Is IRIS Health cheaper than Now Health International?

Accepted Answer

Yes, IRIS Health's entry-level plan starts from AED 2,800/yr, compared to Now Health International's cheapest plan at AED 5,500/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.

Question 3

Which has a bigger network in Dubai, IRIS Health or Now Health International?

Accepted Answer

IRIS Health has a larger Dubai network with 3,528 providers, compared to Now Health International's 2,495 providers. This includes hospitals, clinics, dental practices, and specialist centres listed in the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.

Question 4

Does IRIS Health or Now Health International cover dental?

Accepted Answer

Both insurers offer dental coverage on their enhanced and premium plans. IRIS Health's dental sub-limit goes up to AED 3,500/yr, while Now Health International offers up to AED 7,500/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.

Question 5

Can I switch from IRIS Health to Now Health International?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 6

How do I compare IRIS Health and Now Health International plans?

Accepted Answer

Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare IRIS Health and Now Health International side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — IRIS Health starts from AED 2,800/yr, Now Health International from AED 5,500/yr, (2) Network size — 5,962 vs 3,470 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.

Attribute	IRIS Health	Now Health International
Type	tpa	private
Founded	2003	2011
Headquarters	Dubai	Dubai
Regulators	DHA, HAAD	DHA, HAAD
Number of Plans	2	2
Premium Range	AED 2,800 – 11,500	AED 5,500 – 28,000
Total Network Size	5,962	3,470
Cities Covered	8	8
Dental	Yes	Yes
Optical	Yes	Yes
Maternity	Yes	Yes
Mental Health	Yes	Yes
International	No	Yes
Co-pay Range	20%	0% – 20%
Claims Phone	04-340-0220	800-669

City	IRIS Health	vs	Now Health International
Dubai	3,528	vs	2,495
Abu Dhabi	1,332	vs	394
Sharjah	478	vs	262
Al Ain	259	vs	125
Ajman	149	vs	95
Ras Al Khaimah	126	vs	51
Fujairah	67	vs	39
Umm Al Quwain	23	vs	9

IRIS Health vs Now Health International

IRIS Health

Now Health International

IRIS Health vs Now Health International — At a Glance

Network Comparison by City

IRIS Health Plans

IRIS Managed Essential

IRIS Managed Plus

Now Health International Plans

Now Health WorldCare Essential

Now Health WorldCare Prestige

Verdict

IRIS Health vs Now Health International — FAQ

Related Comparisons