Who are Daman?
Daman is the trading name of the National Health Insurance Company (NHIC), established by the Abu Dhabi Government to administer the emirate's mandatory health insurance system. It is CBUAE-licensed as a health insurer and regulated in Abu Dhabi by the Department of Health (DoH). Beyond its government mandate to administer Thiqa, Daman operates a commercial health insurance business that sells plans to employers and individuals across all seven emirates.
The two sides of Daman's business are distinct. The Thiqa programme is a government-funded entitlement for Abu Dhabi UAE nationals, administered by Daman under direction from the DoH. The commercial business sells branded plan tiers to employers and private individuals and operates as a regular health insurer competing in the open market.
What is Thiqa and who qualifies?
Thiqa is the mandatory health coverage programme for UAE nationals residing in Abu Dhabi, established under Abu Dhabi Law No. (23) of 2005, effective 1 June 2006. The programme is funded by the Abu Dhabi Government and administered by Daman. UAE nationals do not pay premiums for Thiqa cover; it is provided as a government health entitlement.
Thiqa covers a wide range of medical services at accredited government and private facilities in Abu Dhabi and includes a mechanism for emergency treatment outside Abu Dhabi for UAE nationals. The scope of services and the list of approved facilities is determined by the DoH, not by Daman: Daman administers the programme rather than setting its terms.
Thiqa is available to UAE nationals in Abu Dhabi only. UAE nationals in Dubai, Sharjah or other emirates are not covered by Thiqa: they are subject to the health insurance rules in their emirate of residence. Expatriates are not eligible for Thiqa under any circumstances.
For expatriates working in Abu Dhabi, employer-provided health insurance is mandatory under Abu Dhabi Law No. (23) of 2005. Employers must provide a plan meeting DoH minimum benefit standards. This cover comes through commercial insurers (which may include Daman's commercial plans), not through Thiqa.
What plans does Daman sell to expats?
Through its commercial business, Daman sells group and individual health plans to expatriate employees and private individuals across the UAE. These plans are priced and underwritten like any commercial health insurance product.
Daman's commercial plans span a range of benefit levels: from basic plans designed to meet the minimum mandate thresholds in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, through mid-tier plans with broader hospital networks and higher annual limits, to more comprehensive plans with international cover options. The exact plan names and tier structures should be confirmed at damanhealth.ae, as product details change.
For group plans, Daman is a significant player in Abu Dhabi and available across Dubai and other emirates. Employers choosing Daman for their group scheme gain access to Daman's provider network, which includes major hospitals in Abu Dhabi and facilities across the UAE. Group pricing is underwritten on group size, demographics and claims history.
Individual plans are available to residents purchasing cover privately: self-sponsored visa holders, dependants on spouse visas, and freelancers not covered by an employer group scheme. Individual plans carry full medical underwriting, which means pre-existing conditions identified at underwriting may be excluded or subject to waiting periods.
How wide is the hospital network?
Daman's provider network in Abu Dhabi is the broadest of any health insurer in that emirate, reflecting its role as mandatory programme administrator. Members on Thiqa and on commercial Daman plans in Abu Dhabi have access to public hospitals including Sheikh Khalifa Medical City and Tawam Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, and a large number of accredited private hospitals and clinics.
In Dubai, Daman's commercial network covers major private hospitals and clinics and is competitive with other large insurers. The exact facility list for any specific plan tier should be confirmed on the Daman provider directory at damanhealth.ae before purchase, as network participation changes and varies by plan tier.
Direct billing is standard at Daman in-network facilities: the facility bills Daman directly and the member pays only the applicable co-pay at the point of care. Out-of-network treatment is generally subject to reimbursement (you pay first and claim back) and may be covered at a lower rate or subject to specific approval requirements.
Who suits Daman?
Daman is a natural first-look insurer for employers based in Abu Dhabi, where its network depth, regulatory relationships and experience administering the Thiqa system give it a structural advantage. Abu Dhabi-based companies that want a provider familiar with DoH compliance and the local healthcare landscape have strong reasons to consider Daman for their group scheme.
For UAE nationals in Abu Dhabi, Thiqa is provided automatically, not chosen. The comparison question for nationals is whether to take a supplementary commercial plan on top of Thiqa for services or facilities not covered under the programme.
For Dubai-based expats comparing health insurers, Daman competes with GIG Gulf, Bupa, Cigna and other large providers. Its structural advantage is in Abu Dhabi. If your employer is headquartered in Abu Dhabi or you plan to use healthcare predominantly there, Daman's network depth is a genuine differentiator. For a Dubai-centric lifestyle, compare Daman's Dubai network specifically against alternatives.
For individual buyers, the underwriting process for pre-existing conditions is worth checking carefully. As with all health insurers in the UAE, standard individual plans exclude or delay cover for conditions existing at application. If managing a pre-existing condition is central to your need, compare insurers on how they treat that specific condition rather than on plan name or headline price.
Information, not advice. InsureCompare.ae is an independent comparison site. We are not licensed by the CBUAE to advise on insurance products. Plan details, network lists and benefit limits must be confirmed directly with Daman at damanhealth.ae. Sources: Abu Dhabi Law No. (23) of 2005 (DoH); Daman public information (damanhealth.ae, accessed Jun 2026).
Related reading
- Health insurance comparison in the UAE
- Health insurance in Abu Dhabi: what the DoH mandate requires in 2026
- How to compare health insurance plans in the UAE
- What medical insurance really costs in Dubai, plan by plan
Frequently asked questions
Is Daman health insurance only for Abu Dhabi or can Dubai residents also get a Daman plan?
Daman sells commercial health insurance plans nationwide across all seven emirates, so Dubai residents can buy a Daman individual or group plan. Thiqa is specific to UAE nationals in Abu Dhabi and is a government programme, not a commercial product. Expatriates and UAE nationals living in Dubai access Daman's commercial plans rather than Thiqa.
What is the difference between Daman and Thiqa health insurance in the UAE?
Daman is the company (the National Health Insurance Company) and Thiqa is one of the programmes it administers. Thiqa is a government-funded health entitlement for UAE nationals in Abu Dhabi under Abu Dhabi Law No. (23) of 2005. UAE nationals do not pay premiums for it. Daman also sells commercial health plans to employers and individuals; those are separate products, priced and underwritten like any other health insurance.
How does Daman's hospital network compare to other health insurers available across the UAE?
In Abu Dhabi, Daman's network is the broadest of any insurer, reflecting its role as mandatory programme administrator. In Dubai, Daman's commercial network is competitive but comparable to other large insurers. Confirm the specific network for any plan tier at damanhealth.ae before buying, as participation varies by plan and changes over time.
Can expatriates in Abu Dhabi get Thiqa cover?
No. Thiqa is available to UAE nationals in Abu Dhabi only. Expatriates working in Abu Dhabi receive health insurance through their employer under the Abu Dhabi mandatory scheme (Abu Dhabi Law No. 23/2005), through commercial insurers. Thiqa is not available to expatriates.
Does Daman cover pre-existing conditions on individual plans?
Individual health plans from Daman, like all individual health insurance in the UAE, are subject to medical underwriting at application. Pre-existing conditions are typically excluded, subject to a waiting period or covered with a loading. Group plans generally provide broader pre-existing condition cover depending on scheme terms. Confirm the specific underwriting approach directly with Daman.