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Now Health International vs William Russell

UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026

Now Health International

private

3,418 providers

2 plans

Est. 2011

DHA, HAAD regulated

William Russell

private

3,280 providers

2 plans

Est. 1992

DHA, HAAD regulated

Now Health International has 2 plans starting from AED 5,500/yr with 3,418 providers across 8 cities. William Russell has 2 plans starting from AED 8,000/yr with 3,280 providers across 8 cities. Both insurers have their strongest presence in Dubai.

Now Health International vs William Russell — At a Glance

AttributeNow Health InternationalWilliam Russell
Typeprivateprivate
Founded20111992
HeadquartersDubaiDubai
RegulatorsDHA, HAADDHA, HAAD
Number of Plans22
Premium RangeAED 5,500 – 28,000AED 8,000 – 34,000
Total Network Size3,4183,280
Cities Covered88
DentalYesYes
OpticalYesYes
MaternityYesYes
Mental HealthYesYes
InternationalYesYes
Co-pay Range0% – 20%0% – 10%
Claims Phone800-66904-297-6700

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

Network Comparison by City

CityNow Health InternationalvsWilliam Russell
Dubai
2,455
vs
2,149
Abu Dhabi
394
vs
626
Sharjah
258
vs
209
Al Ain
122
vs
123
Ajman
94
vs
67
Ras Al Khaimah
49
vs
64
Fujairah
37
vs
34
Umm Al Quwain
9
vs
8

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

Now Health International Plans

Now Health International

Now Health WorldCare Essential

Enhanced

Expat professionals and freelancers seeking modular coverage

AED 5,500 – 10,000/yr

Annual limit: AED 750,000 · semi-private room · 20% co-pay

Dental
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Modular — add dental/optical as ridersInternational emergency coverageOnline member portal

3,418 providers

View details →

Now Health International

Now Health WorldCare Prestige

Premium

Executives and families wanting comprehensive worldwide cover

AED 14,000 – 28,000/yr

Annual limit: AED 1.5M · private room · 0% co-pay

Dental (AED 7,500)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Zero co-payPrivate roomWorldwide coverage

3,418 providers

View details →

William Russell Plans

William Russell

William Russell Gold Health

Enhanced

British and Commonwealth expat professionals and families

AED 8,000 – 15,000/yr

Annual limit: AED 1.0M · semi-private room · 10% co-pay

Dental (AED 4,500)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Dedicated account managerInternational coverageDental and optical included

3,280 providers

View details →

William Russell

William Russell Platinum Health

Premium

Senior expat executives and HNW families

AED 18,000 – 34,000/yr

Annual limit: AED 2.0M · private room · 0% co-pay

Dental (AED 10,000)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Zero co-payPrivate roomWorldwide coverage including USA

3,280 providers

View details →

Verdict

Choose Now Health International if you need a larger provider network, lower entry-level premiums. Choose William Russell if you prioritise more comprehensive coverage options. 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 William Russell — FAQ

Which is better, Now Health International or William Russell?

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. William Russell has 3,280 providers across 8 cities with 2 plans from AED 8,000/yr. Choose Now Health International if you need a larger provider network, lower entry-level premiums. Choose William Russell if you prioritise more comprehensive coverage options.

Is Now Health International cheaper than William Russell?

Yes, Now Health International's entry-level plan starts from AED 5,500/yr, compared to William Russell's cheapest plan at AED 8,000/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, Now Health International or William Russell?

Now Health International has a larger Dubai network with 2,455 providers, compared to William Russell's 2,149 providers. This includes hospitals, clinics, dental practices, and specialist centres listed in the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.

Does Now Health International or William Russell 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 William Russell offers up to AED 10,000/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.

Can I switch from Now Health International to William Russell?

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 William Russell (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 William Russell have dedicated claims and onboarding teams to facilitate the transition.

How do I compare Now Health International and William Russell plans?

Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare Now Health International and William Russell side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — Now Health International starts from AED 5,500/yr, William Russell from AED 8,000/yr, (2) Network size — 3,418 vs 3,280 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 Now Health International and William Russell or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory, last verified March 2026.