IRIS Health vs Now Health International
UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026
IRIS Health
tpa6 providers
2 plans
Est. 2003
DHA, DOH regulated
Now Health International
private3,340 providers
2 plans
Est. 2011
DHA, DOH regulated
IRIS Health has 2 plans from AED 2,800 a year and 6 in-network providers in 2 cities. Now Health International has 2 plans from AED 5,500 a year and 3,340 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.
IRIS Health vs Now Health International — At a Glance
| Attribute | IRIS Health | Now Health International |
|---|---|---|
| Type | tpa | private |
| Founded | 2003 | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Dubai | Dubai |
| Regulators | DHA, DOH | DHA, DOH |
| Number of Plans | 2 | 2 |
| Premium Range | AED 2,800 – 11,500 | AED 5,500 – 28,000 |
| Total Network Size | 6 | 3,340 |
| Cities Covered | 2 | 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 |
Coverage columns reflect whether at least one plan from the insurer includes that benefit. Premiums are indicative annual ranges.
Network Comparison by City
| City | IRIS Health | vs | Now Health International |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | 5 | vs | 2,391 |
| Abu Dhabi | 0 | vs | 387 |
| Sharjah | 1 | vs | 254 |
| Al Ain | 0 | vs | 120 |
| Ajman | 0 | vs | 93 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 0 | vs | 49 |
| Fujairah | 0 | vs | 37 |
| Umm Al Quwain | 0 | vs | 9 |
Provider counts from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory. Green highlights the city leader.
IRIS Health Plans
IRIS Health
IRIS Managed Essential
Companies using IRIS-administered plans for mandatory compliance
AED 2,800 – 5,000/yr
Annual limit: AED 250,000 · shared room · 20% co-pay
6 providers
View details →IRIS Health
IRIS Managed Plus
Corporate groups seeking personalised TPA-managed coverage
AED 5,500 – 11,500/yr
Annual limit: AED 500,000 · semi-private room · 20% co-pay
6 providers
View details →Now Health International Plans
Now Health International
Now Health WorldCare Essential
Expat professionals and freelancers seeking modular coverage
AED 5,500 – 10,000/yr
Annual limit: AED 750,000 · semi-private room · 20% co-pay
3,340 providers
View details →Now Health International
Now Health WorldCare Prestige
Executives and families wanting comprehensive worldwide cover
AED 14,000 – 28,000/yr
Annual limit: AED 1.5M · private room · 0% co-pay
3,340 providers
View details →Verdict
Choose IRIS Health if you need lower entry-level premiums. Choose Now Health International if you prioritise a larger provider network, more comprehensive coverage options, presence in 8 cities. 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.
IRIS Health vs Now Health International — FAQ
Which is better, IRIS Health or Now Health International?
It depends on your needs. IRIS Health has 6 providers across 2 cities and offers 2 plans starting from AED 2,800/yr. Now Health International has 3,340 providers across 8 cities with 2 plans from AED 5,500/yr. Choose IRIS Health if you need lower entry-level premiums. Choose Now Health International if you prioritise a larger provider network, more comprehensive coverage options, presence in 8 cities.
Is IRIS Health cheaper than Now Health International?
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.
Which has a bigger network in Dubai, IRIS Health or Now Health International?
Now Health International has a larger Dubai network with 2,391 providers, compared to IRIS Health's 5 providers. Network sizes are based on the UAE Open Healthcare Directory data.
Does IRIS Health or Now Health International cover dental?
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.
Can I switch from IRIS Health to Now Health International?
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.
How do I compare IRIS Health and Now Health International plans?
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 — 6 vs 3,340 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 IRIS Health and Now Health International or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.