A deductible is a fixed amount you pay out of pocket before your health insurance starts contributing toward a claim, typically applied once per policy year regardless of how many separate visits or treatments occur before that threshold is reached. A co-payment is a smaller, ongoing share of the cost you continue to pay on each individual claim or visit, even after the deductible has been met, commonly expressed as a percentage of the bill, meaning the two work together rather than as alternatives to one another within the same policy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does meeting my deductible mean I no longer pay anything toward claims?
Not necessarily - many policies still apply a co-payment percentage on claims even after the deductible has been fully met, so some ongoing out-of-pocket cost typically continues.
Is the deductible amount the same across all UAE health insurance plans?
No - it varies significantly by insurer and policy tier, with lower-premium plans commonly carrying a higher deductible than more comprehensive, higher-premium plans.
Does a higher deductible always mean a lower monthly premium?
Generally yes - this trade-off is a common structural feature across insurance products, where accepting more upfront out-of-pocket risk typically lowers the ongoing premium cost.
Do deductibles and co-payments reset each policy year?
Typically yes - most policies reset the deductible threshold and apply co-payment terms fresh at the start of each new policy year.
How can I compare deductible and co-payment structures across plans?
Use the insurance comparison tool to compare deductible amounts and co-payment percentages across available health insurance policies.