Now Health International vs Thiqa
UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026
Now Health International
private3,418 providers
2 plans
Est. 2011
DHA, HAAD regulated
Thiqa
premium8,142 providers
1 plan
Est. 2005
HAAD regulated
Now Health International has 2 plans starting from AED 5,500/yr with 3,418 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.
Now Health International vs Thiqa — At a Glance
| Attribute | Now Health International | Thiqa |
|---|---|---|
| Type | private | premium |
| Founded | 2011 | 2005 |
| Headquarters | Dubai | Abu Dhabi |
| Regulators | DHA, HAAD | HAAD |
| Number of Plans | 2 | 1 |
| Premium Range | AED 5,500 – 28,000 | AED 0 – 0 |
| Total Network Size | 3,418 | 8,142 |
| Cities Covered | 8 | 8 |
| Dental | Yes | Yes |
| Optical | Yes | Yes |
| Maternity | Yes | Yes |
| Mental Health | Yes | Yes |
| International | Yes | Yes |
| Co-pay Range | 0% – 20% | 0% |
| Claims Phone | 800-669 | 800-42626 |
Coverage columns reflect whether at least one plan from the insurer includes that benefit. Premiums are indicative annual ranges.
Network Comparison by City
| City | Now Health International | vs | Thiqa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | 2,455 | vs | 3,164 |
| Abu Dhabi | 394 | vs | 2,481 |
| Sharjah | 258 | vs | 922 |
| Al Ain | 122 | vs | 807 |
| Ajman | 94 | vs | 318 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 49 | vs | 234 |
| Fujairah | 37 | vs | 170 |
| Umm Al Quwain | 9 | vs | 46 |
Provider counts from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory. Green highlights the city leader.
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
3,418 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
3,418 providers
View details →Thiqa Plans
Thiqa
Thiqa
UAE nationals and their dependants in Abu Dhabi
Government-funded
Annual limit: Unlimited · private room · 0% co-pay
8,142 providers
View details →Verdict
Choose Now Health International if you need more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options. Choose Thiqa if you prioritise a larger provider network. 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.
Now Health International vs Thiqa — FAQ
Which is better, Now Health International or Thiqa?
It depends on your needs. Now Health International has 3,418 providers across 8 cities and offers 2 plans starting from AED 5,500/yr. Thiqa has 8,142 providers across 8 cities with 1 plans from AED 0/yr. Choose Now Health International if you need more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options. Choose Thiqa if you prioritise a larger provider network.
Is Now Health International cheaper than Thiqa?
No, Thiqa's entry-level plan starts from AED 0/yr, while Now Health International's cheapest plan begins at AED 5,500/yr. Pricing varies significantly by age, nationality, and plan tier, so obtain personalised quotes from both insurers.
Which has a bigger network in Dubai, Now Health International or Thiqa?
Thiqa has a larger Dubai network with 3,164 providers, compared to Now Health International's 2,455 providers. Network sizes are based on the UAE Open Healthcare Directory data.
Does Now Health International or Thiqa cover dental?
Both insurers offer dental coverage on their enhanced and premium plans. Now Health International's dental sub-limit goes up to AED 7,500/yr, while Thiqa offers up to AED 0/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.
Can I switch from Now Health International to Thiqa?
Yes, you can switch insurers during your policy renewal period. In the UAE, health insurance is typically renewed annually. When switching from Now Health International 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 Now Health International and Thiqa have dedicated claims and onboarding teams to facilitate the transition.
How do I compare Now Health International and Thiqa plans?
Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare Now Health International and Thiqa side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — Now Health International starts from AED 5,500/yr, Thiqa from AED 0/yr, (2) Network size — 3,418 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.
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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 Now Health International and Thiqa or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory, last verified March 2026.