Patient Support Program (Basmah & Hepatitis B & C) – An Initiative by Dubai Health Authority

Vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum

The Dubai Health Authority’s mission is to transform Dubai into a leading healthcare destination by fostering innovative and integrated care models and by enhancing community engagement. The introduction of HCV (Hepatitis B & C) and BASMAH (cancer screening and treatment fund) patient support programs places Dubai in the very front of the ranking of best places in the world to have access to quality healthcare.

What are HCV and BASMAH patient support programs?

  • Since January 2018, expats based in Dubai with the Essential Benefits Plan (EBP) receive coverage for three types of cancer treatment (Breast Cancer, Colorectal Cancer & Cervical Cancer) and Hepatitis (B & C ) under the new patient support programs.
  • Patient Support Programs (PSP) are funded to help the insured resident members in the Emirate of Dubai, to get access to quality health care, necessary drugs, screenings, and treatments.

The  Basmah Program for cancer is only available for

  • Insured members holding a residence visa issued from the Emirate of Dubai with validity of not less than one year
  • The mandate for coverage of Cancer is applicable only for insured LSB members, holding valid insurance policies or policies issued after the launch date of the mandate, with diagnosis of Cervical, Breast or Colorectal cancer, subject to eligibility and treatment criteria being satisfied
  • The above would apply for existing and new residents in the Emirate of Dubai who are not diagnosed with cancer before entering the country.
  • Existing and new residents who were diagnosed with cancer prior to entering the country will become eligible for enrolment only after one year of residence in UAE.
  • Eligibility for enrollment into the program will be based only on confirmed Diagnosis from the Centre of Excellence(CoE)

The Hepatisis B & C Program is available for

  • All insured members holding a residence permit issued from the Emirate of Dubai with a  validity of not less than one year
  • The mandate for coverage of Hepatitis B and C is applicable only for all insured members , holding valid policies issued after the launch date of the mandate, subject to eligibility and treatment criteria being met
  • The mandate would apply for existing residents and new residents in Dubai who were not diagnosed with Hepatitis B or C before entering the country. Existing and new residents who were diagnosed with Hepatitis B or C prior to entering the country will become eligible for enrollment only after one year of residence
  • Eligibility for enrollment into the program will be based only on confirmed Diagnosis from the Centre of Excellence (CoE)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How one can enroll themselves in the Basmah Program?

Ans : Enrolment into the program is at the sole discretion of the insured member and subject to his/her consent. Insured member with symptoms / already diagnosed with cancer shall be given the choice for enrolment into the program only once at the beginning of the treatment and/or when [The Insurer] is notified about the diagnosis.

Q2: What if one is belonging to non-LSB group ?

Ans: Enrolment for cancer program is available only for LSB members. Enrolment into the program is mandatory. Non LSB member can be covered for Basmah-HCV program and  by enrolling into the program they can avail benefits like discount at the COE facilities for the treatment cost as per the government discretion.

Q3: What if one rejected the enrolment at the beginning ? Can they approve the enrolment at the later stage.

Ans : Once the insured choose to opt out of the Program, he/she shall not be permitted to enroll into the Program later.

Q4: What If one is already diagnosed with Cancer prior to entering in the country. Are they eligible for enrolment.

Ans : Existing and new residents who were diagnosed with cancer prior to entering the country will become eligible for enrolment only after one year of residence in UAE.

 

To know more about the Patient Support Program Workflow Process, Click here.