Insurance Hospital Lists in Dubai: How to Check Your NextCare, NAS or Daman Network

Why "do you accept NextCare?" is the wrong question

Most Dubai cards involve two companies: the insurer that carries the risk and a TPA (third party administrator) that runs the network, approvals and claims. NextCare and NAS are TPAs. They manage several network tiers at once, and each insurer's plan is linked to one of those tiers.

So a hospital can be "on NextCare" for one network and not for yours. The question that gets a reliable answer is: "Do you accept [insurer] on the [network name] network for outpatient (or inpatient)?"

Some plans also split networks by care type. GIG Gulf's locator, for example, asks separately for your outpatient network and whether the treatment is outpatient or inpatient. A clinic can be in your outpatient network while the hospital next door is only in a higher inpatient tier.

Step 1: read your card

Before you search, find these on your physical card or e-card:

• Insurer name (the company that issued the policy).
• TPA logo or name, such as NextCare, NAS or MedNet. Some insurers, such as Daman and Cigna, manage their own network.
• Network or plan name, often a short code or tier name. GIG Gulf's search tool shows a sample card with the network field marked, which is typical of how Dubai cards show it.
• Call centre number, usually on the back. NextCare says its local member line is printed on the back of the card.

If you have no card yet, ask HR or your broker for the network name and Table of Benefits. Many providers can also check eligibility using your Emirates ID.

Step 2: use the official lookup tool

Your insurer is not listed? Every insurer and TPA allowed to operate in Dubai appears on DHA's permitted companies list. Start from the company named on your card and look for "find a provider", "medical network" or "provider search" in its member app.

Step 3: confirm with the facility

An online list is a guide, not a guarantee. GIG Gulf's locator says plainly that its direct billing list is for guidance and can change. Before a planned visit:

1. Call the clinic or hospital's insurance desk. Give the insurer, TPA and network name, not just one of them.
2. Ask about the specific service. Some facilities accept a network for consultations but not for, say, MRI, physiotherapy or maternity.
3. Ask about the doctor and department. Confirm the specialist you want to see is covered under your network at that facility.
4. Ask whether pre-approval is needed. The provider sends approval requests to the insurer or TPA. NextCare's FAQ explains that the provider then tells you your co-pay or what is not covered.
5. Write down the name and time of the call. It helps if the claim is later rejected.

If you are on the Essential Benefits Plan

The DHA Essential Benefits Plan (EBP) has GP-first rules, and tests are done at your assigned facility. You see a network GP first, and the GP refers you to a specialist through DHA e-Referral. Going straight to a specialist, even one in the network, may not be paid. See our Dubai health insurance guide for the full EBP rules.

Emergencies are different

You do not need to check a network list in an emergency. DHA's minimum benefits require emergency treatment to be covered anywhere in the UAE, including ambulance. Go to the nearest emergency department and let the hospital contact your insurer. Network rules apply again once you are stable and any follow-up is planned.

If the hospital is not in your network

You can still be treated, but you usually pay first and claim back.

• Tell the TPA first if you can. NextCare asks members to pre-notify its care centre or membercare@nextcarehealth.com before non-network treatment and gives a ticket number.
• Collect the right paperwork: the claim form stamped by the facility, the medical report, itemised bills and original receipts.
• Check what you will get back. NextCare, for example, pays the eligible amount less your deductions. Whether non-network care is covered at all, and at what rate, is set in your Table of Benefits.
• Watch the deadline. Insurers set claim time limits. Daman's member guide, for example, gives 180 days from the last treatment date.

Why the PDF hospital lists online go wrong

Searches for "NextCare hospital list Dubai PDF" return files posted by brokers, clinics and directories. Treat them with caution:

• Networks are renegotiated during the year, so facilities join and leave.
• A list for one network tier is often shared as if it covers all NextCare or NAS cards.
• Some lists mix outpatient and inpatient access.
• Directories rarely show which branch of a hospital group is included.

The insurer's or TPA's own app is updated by the company that pays the claim, so it is the source to trust.

For clinics: getting into a network

Facilities join networks by contracting with the insurer or TPA, then claiming through eClaimLink in Dubai or Shafafiya in Abu Dhabi. NAS, for example, runs a separate provider empanelment portal. Our health insurance guide covers the steps, and the eClaimLink and Shafafiya guide covers claims.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I find the NextCare hospital list in Dubai?

Use the provider search on nextcarehealth.com or the Healthcare Providers section of the Lumi app, which shows the network linked to your policy. Then call the facility to confirm.

How do I check if a hospital accepts NAS insurance?

Search the provider list in the NAS mobile app or myNAS portal using the network on your card, or call NAS on 800 2311. Confirm with the hospital before a planned visit.

Is NextCare an insurance company?

NextCare is a TPA. It manages networks, approvals and claims for insurers. The insurer named on your card issues the policy and decides your benefits.

Why does the hospital say it accepts my insurer but rejected my card?

The facility is probably in a different network tier from your plan, or excludes the service you need. Ask using the network name on your card, not just the insurer's name.

Do I need an in-network hospital for an emergency in Dubai?

No. DHA's minimum benefits require emergency treatment to be covered anywhere in the UAE. Go to the nearest emergency department.

Can I use my Emirates ID instead of my insurance card?

Many providers can look up your cover with your Emirates ID, and some insurers say so in their member guidance. Carry your card or e-card anyway in case the system is down.

Run a clinic that has just joined new networks? Access One builds Google Ads campaigns for patients searching for clinics that take their insurance.

Sources

• NextCare: Member FAQs (network providers, Lumi app, out-of-network claims)
• NAS: Mobile app
• NAS: Healthcare providers
• Daman: Find a Hospital
• Cigna Healthcare Middle East: Wellbeing and digital tools (PDF)
• MetLife UAE: Find providers in myMetLife Plus (PDF)
• GIG Gulf: Provider locator
• MedNet: Locate a provider
• ISAHD (DHA): Permitted insurers and TPAs
• DHA circular GC 03/2024: EBP table of benefits

Published 26 Oct 2026 · Access One