Question 1

Which is better, Now Health International or William Russell?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your needs. Now Health International has 3,470 providers across 8 cities and offers 2 plans starting from AED 5,500/yr. William Russell has 3,329 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.

Question 2

Is Now Health International cheaper than William Russell?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

Now Health International has a larger Dubai network with 2,495 providers, compared to William Russell's 2,189 providers. This includes hospitals, clinics, dental practices, and specialist centres listed in the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.

Question 4

Does Now Health International or William Russell cover dental?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 5

Can I switch from Now Health International to William Russell?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

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 — 3,470 vs 3,329 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	Now Health International	William Russell
Type	private	private
Founded	2011	1992
Headquarters	Dubai	Dubai
Regulators	DHA, HAAD	DHA, HAAD
Number of Plans	2	2
Premium Range	AED 5,500 – 28,000	AED 8,000 – 34,000
Total Network Size	3,470	3,329
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% – 10%
Claims Phone	800-669	04-297-6700

City	Now Health International	vs	William Russell
Dubai	2,495	vs	2,189
Abu Dhabi	394	vs	627
Sharjah	262	vs	213
Al Ain	125	vs	124
Ajman	95	vs	69
Ras Al Khaimah	51	vs	65
Fujairah	39	vs	34
Umm Al Quwain	9	vs	8

Now Health International vs William Russell

Now Health International

William Russell

Now Health International vs William Russell — At a Glance

Network Comparison by City

Now Health International Plans

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William Russell Plans

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Verdict

Now Health International vs William Russell — FAQ

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