Daman, the National Health Insurance Company, has launched a new service that allows individual sponsors to renew Abu Dhabi Basic plan insurance cards online for those under their personal employment.

The company says that the new initiative, aimed at efforts to ease health insurance enrolment and renewal processes, is estimated to benefit about 200,000 members who are sponsored and work in one of eight domestic professions: maids, babysitters, light and heavy vehicle drivers, chefs, farmers, and personal teachers, nurses and doctors.

"Daman has been a pioneer in online health insurance management in the UAE since introducing its digital services back in 2009," said Hamad Abdulla Al Mehyas, Chief Process Officer. "This new initiative continues Daman's commitment to delivering innovative solutions that improve our clients' experience. The new service will simplify and significantly speed up the delivery of renewed insurance cards to our customers. The online system offers even more convenience to our clients by allowing them to complete the renewal process from their home and eliminate the need to visit a branch. We expect many more of our members and clients to benefit from Daman's enhanced digital offerings going forward."

The cost of the Government-supported Abu Dhabi Basic plan cards is Dh600 for those earning Dh5,000 or less, or Dh4,000 or less if accommodation is provided. Daman currently has 1.3 million members under the plan.

In order to renew, the sponsor, either an Abu Dhabi-based UAE citizen or resident, must go through a one-time online registration process. If the sponsor is a UAE citizen, he or she will require an Emirates ID, while residents must upload a passport copy, residency visa copy, Emirates ID and a valid insurance card.

Sponsors can then collect cards within two working days if they choose to pick-up from a branch or service point, or three working days if they prefer another location for an additional courier charge. They will also be notified via email within one day if their record has any missing or unclear information.

Renewals are possible a month before card expiry, provided that the member has not accumulated any late-renewal fines. In this case, a renewal must be made at a Daman branch, which will collect the fines and renewal fees.

Daman says it is currently working on launching a range of cutting-edge digital services including a mobile app, and the use of Emirates ID as an alternative identifier at medical facilities, both of which are on track to be released this year.
Source: WAM