United Arab Emirates
The National Health Insurance Company — better known as Daman — is the largest health insurer in the United Arab Emirates by member count, with more than three million members on its books. Founded in 2006 as a joint venture between the Abu Dhabi Government and Munich Re, Daman is the default carrier for the majority of Abu Dhabi residents, the exclusive operator of the Thiqa programme for Emirati nationals in the emirate, and the firm that effectively built the architecture of mandatory health insurance in Abu Dhabi between 2006 and 2008. This guide covers Daman's plans, hospital network, enrolment process, claims, and how it stacks up against the rest of the UAE insurance market.
At a Glance
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | National Health Insurance Company — Daman |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Ownership | Abu Dhabi Government (majority) and Munich Re |
| Headquarters | Daman Tower, Abu Dhabi Corniche |
| Members covered | 3 million plus |
| Specialism | Health insurance only (no motor, life, or property lines) |
| Flagship plan | Thiqa — government-funded cover for Emirati nationals in Abu Dhabi |
| Mandatory plans | Enhanced (Abu Dhabi residents); Basic (low-income workers) |
| Provider network | UAE-wide — 1,200+ clinics, every major hospital group |
| Mobile app | Daman Health (e-claims, network search, virtual GP) |
| Website | https://www.damanhealth.ae |
Company History
Daman was incorporated in 2006 to deliver a state-mandated health insurance scheme for Abu Dhabi. The Abu Dhabi Government holds the controlling stake; Munich Re, one of the world's largest reinsurers, holds a minority interest and provides technical underwriting expertise. That structure gives Daman a dual identity — it operates commercially, but its mandate is set by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the emirate's regulator.
Between 2006 and 2008, Daman led the rollout of compulsory health insurance for every resident and visitor in Abu Dhabi — making AD the first emirate where comprehensive health cover became a legal requirement, with employers paying the premium for employees and their dependants. Dubai followed only in 2014 with the Dubai Health Insurance Law administered by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), by which time Daman had already developed the claims, network, and IT infrastructure that the Abu Dhabi system runs on today.
Since then Daman has expanded UAE-wide, writing plans for individuals, SMEs, and large enterprises in every emirate. Its largest single contract remains the Thiqa scheme — under which the Abu Dhabi Government pays Daman to administer cover for Emirati nationals.
Plans Offered
Daman's portfolio is structured around three regulated tiers plus a range of enhanced commercial products.
Thiqa — for Emirati Nationals
Thiqa is Daman's exclusive plan for UAE nationals registered in Abu Dhabi. The premium is paid in full by the Abu Dhabi Government; members pay nothing. Cover is the broadest available in the UAE: in-patient and out-patient treatment, dental, optical, maternity, mental health, and — uniquely — coverage for catastrophic illnesses treated abroad, including in Europe and the United States, where the Abu Dhabi medical system cannot deliver the procedure. For most UAE nationals, Thiqa is the gold standard against which every private plan in the country is measured.
Enhanced — for Abu Dhabi Residents
The Enhanced plan is the mandatory cover for Abu Dhabi-based residents earning above the regulated salary threshold. Employers must purchase it for every staff member and their immediate dependants. Daman offers Enhanced cover in multiple tiers — silver, gold, and platinum bands — with rising annual limits, broader network access, and lower co-insurance at the higher levels. Coverage typically includes in-patient, out-patient, maternity, chronic conditions, and emergency cover anywhere in the UAE.
Basic — for Low-Income Workers
The Basic plan is the regulated minimum cover for Abu Dhabi residents earning below the salary threshold (usually labourers and domestic staff). Premium is capped by DoH and paid by the employer. Cover is narrower than Enhanced — it focuses on essential in-patient and out-patient treatment at a defined network of clinics — but it satisfies the legal requirement and gives every resident access to baseline care.
Corporate and SME Plans
Daman writes group health insurance for everything from a five-person agency to a multinational with thousands of UAE staff. Larger employers can negotiate bespoke schedules — higher annual limits, regional cover across the GCC, evacuation, dental and optical add-ons, and direct-billing at premium hospitals such as Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.
Individual Plans
For self-employed residents, freelancers, and family members not covered through an employer, Daman sells individual policies online and through brokers. Pricing depends on age, declared medical history, and chosen tier. Compared with peers like Orient and Salama, Daman individual plans tend to price higher but offer a wider direct-billing network.
Network of Hospitals and Clinics
Daman has the largest health-insurance provider network in the UAE — virtually every reputable hospital and most clinics accept Daman cards on a direct-billing basis.
In Abu Dhabi the network includes Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Burjeel, Mediclinic (Airport Road and Al Noor), NMC Royal, HealthPlus, and the SEHA primary-care chain. In Dubai and the Northern Emirates, Daman is accepted at Mediclinic City Hospital and Parkview, Aster, Saudi German, King's College Hospital London – Dubai, Medcare, NMC, and Emirates Hospital, among many others.
The total network exceeds 1,200 clinics plus every major UAE hospital — broader than any UAE peer. Members search the live network through the Daman Health app or damanhealth.ae.
How to Enrol
For employees, enrolment is handled by HR — the employer registers staff and dependants with Daman, and members receive a Daman card (physical or digital) within a few working days. The card is the proof of cover at any network clinic.
Individual buyers go through Daman's website or an authorised broker:
- Quote — submit age, family size, and chosen tier.
- Medical declaration — disclose pre-existing conditions; Daman may exclude or load specific items.
- Payment — annual premium by card or bank transfer.
- Issue — Daman card is delivered electronically; cover starts on the agreed date.
Thiqa enrolment is automatic for eligible Emirati nationals via the Abu Dhabi ID system.
Claims
Most claims are settled by direct billing — the network clinic invoices Daman directly and the member pays only the co-insurance share (often 10–20 per cent on Enhanced tiers, zero on Thiqa).
Where direct billing is not available — at a non-network clinic, abroad, or for an item not invoiced through insurance — members submit a reimbursement claim through the Daman Health app:
- Pay the clinic in full and keep the invoice plus medical report.
- Upload invoice and supporting documents in the app.
- Track claim status in real time.
- Receive reimbursement by bank transfer, typically within two to four weeks.
The app also handles pre-authorisations for planned in-patient treatment and high-cost out-patient procedures — a regulatory requirement for most non-emergency hospital admissions in the UAE.
Practical Notes
- Abu Dhabi residents: if your employer is based in Abu Dhabi, Daman is the most likely default carrier. Check your card before assuming you have cover elsewhere.
- Thiqa is non-transferable. It is tied to Emirati nationality and Abu Dhabi registration; expatriates cannot buy into it at any price.
- Pricing is generally higher than peers. Daman's premiums sit above competitors such as ADNIC, Orient, and Salama, reflecting the wider network and the AD-government association — but most members do not pay personally, since the premium is employer-funded.
- Cross-emirate cover. Enhanced plans include cover at network providers across all seven emirates — useful for residents who live in Abu Dhabi but commute to or travel in Dubai.
- Pre-authorisation matters. Failing to obtain Daman pre-approval for non-emergency in-patient treatment can leave the bill on the member; always check before booking.
- Mobile-first. The Daman Health app handles e-claims, network search, plan details, and a virtual GP service — almost every member interaction outside the hospital can run through the app.
- No motor or life lines. Unlike ADNIC, Orient, or Salama, Daman writes health business only. For motor or property cover, a separate insurer is required.
Compared With Peers
Within the UAE health-insurance market Daman occupies a distinctive position:
- Versus ADNIC: ADNIC writes a full multi-line book — health, motor, marine, property — and competes on price across the market. Daman is health-only but has a deeper network and the Thiqa franchise. For Emiratis in Abu Dhabi, Daman wins by default; for multi-line buyers, ADNIC is often more convenient.
- Versus Orient: Orient (Al-Futtaim group) is a major commercial multi-line insurer with a broad Dubai and Northern Emirates book. Its health offering is competitive on price but has a smaller direct-billing network than Daman in Abu Dhabi.
- Versus Salama: Salama is a Sharia-compliant Takaful insurer — the obvious choice for members who require Islamic cover. Daman's plans are conventional insurance contracts.
- Versus international names (Bupa Arabia, Cigna, Allianz Care): international carriers lead on global cover and high-net-worth schedules, but their UAE direct-billing networks are narrower than Daman's.
The headline trade-off with Daman is price for network. Premiums sit above Dubai-centric competitors, but the network and AD-government backing are unmatched.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Daman the largest health insurer in the UAE?
Yes. Daman is the largest health insurer in the UAE by member count, with more than three million members — the majority of Abu Dhabi residents are covered through Daman directly or via an employer scheme it administers.
Who owns Daman?
Daman is a joint venture between the Abu Dhabi Government (controlling stake) and the German reinsurer Munich Re (minority).
What is Thiqa and who can use it?
Thiqa is Daman's exclusive premium plan for Emirati nationals registered in Abu Dhabi. The Abu Dhabi Government pays the premium; members pay nothing. Cover is comprehensive and includes treatment for catastrophic illnesses overseas. Thiqa is not available to expatriates at any price.
What is the difference between Daman Enhanced and Basic plans?
Enhanced is the mandatory cover for Abu Dhabi residents earning above the regulated salary threshold — higher annual limits, wider network, broader cover. Basic is the regulated minimum cover for residents earning below the threshold (typically labourers and domestic staff). Both are paid by the employer.
Is health insurance mandatory in Abu Dhabi?
Yes. Comprehensive health insurance has been a legal requirement for every Abu Dhabi resident since the 2006–2008 rollout. Employers are responsible for purchasing cover for staff and their dependants. Daman administered the original scheme and remains the dominant carrier.
Does Daman cover hospitals in Dubai?
Yes. Daman's UAE-wide network includes major Dubai hospitals — Mediclinic City Hospital, Mediclinic Parkview, Aster, Saudi German, Medcare, NMC, Emirates Hospital — plus a long list of clinics. Cover is portable across all seven emirates on Enhanced plans.
How do I make a claim with Daman?
Most claims are direct-billed at the clinic — show your Daman card and pay only the co-insurance share. For out-of-network claims, submit invoices and a medical report through the Daman Health app; reimbursement typically arrives within two to four weeks.
Is Daman more expensive than other UAE health insurers?
Generally yes. Daman premiums sit above ADNIC, Orient, and Salama, reflecting the wider network and the Abu Dhabi government association. Most members do not feel the difference because the premium is paid by the employer.
Can I buy a Daman plan as an individual?
Yes. Daman sells individual policies through its website and authorised brokers — pricing depends on age, declared medical history, and chosen tier. Self-employed residents, freelancers, and family members not covered through an employer are the typical buyers.
Does Daman offer a mobile app?
Yes. The Daman Health app handles e-claims, network search, plan details, pre-authorisations, and a virtual GP service.