Pre-existing condition

Three different answers on the same rate chart

Across the plans in Rabt's demonstration inventory, pre-existing conditions are handled three ways: covered from inception with no waiting period, covered after 180 days, or covered subject to declaration and underwriting. All three appear on plans a broker would put on the same comparison, at similar premiums.

This is not a footnote. For a client with a declared condition it is the entire difference between the plans, and it is invisible on any comparison that only lists limits and premiums.

Declared versus undeclared

A condition the client did not declare is not automatically covered because the policy says pre-existing conditions are covered. Most UAE wordings cover declared and accepted pre-existing conditions, and non-disclosure is grounds to decline the claim. Where a plan requires a medical application form, the form is where the declaration happens.

Group versus individual

Group medical schemes above a certain headcount often waive pre-existing exclusions entirely, because the risk is spread. The same insurer's individual product for one member will underwrite properly. A broker moving a client from a group scheme to an individual policy should expect the pre-existing terms to change even though the insurer has not.