Ali is an experienced insurance professional serving as the Head of Payer Regulation for Dubai Health Authority where he regulates the medical insurance companies, third party administrators and intermediaries. He has an established track record of streamlining processes and enhancing operational efficiency in areas such as licensing, ensuring compliance, and regulation as a whole for the medical insurance market in Dubai. Ali utilizes his increasing technical, operational, organisational, communication, negotiating and marketing skills to accomplish objectives and resolve issues with his unique blend of being a highly motivated Emirati individual. He combines his talents and accompanying international, regional, and national experience to facilitate the medical insurance industry as it interfaces with government regulation.
Ali’s previous employments include several years as Business Development Manager at Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company, Sales Manager at Nexus Insurance Brokers LLC and Assistant Vice President at Gateway Insurance Brokers. Overseas in the US, Ali has worked as Managing General Agent for American Income Life Insurance Company and Director Middle East Operations for Sinclair Investment.
With over 10 years of experience in many aspects of the insurance industry, Ali continues to work diligently to assist the market interaction with government and regulations.
MENA: IN GOOD HEALTH?
Q&A
As a compulsory business line, how much is health insurance growing in the GCC countries?
Health insurance in the GCC is growing, with Bahrain, Oman and Saudi actively pursuing mandatory health insurance and actively implementing it.
How can health insurance products and services distinguish themselves to compete, aside from price?
There are many factors that could allow products to distinguish themselves, some of the basic ones are networks, the geographical spread of provider networks, included coverage, however the main one would be service and how a member is treated, i.e. approval/reimbursement processes.
What reinsurance demand is there for health insurance business in the region?
A legal entity to sell insurance products is a UAE Licensed Insurance Company. We have imposed a 40% retention on them to have them remain committed once they enter the program, so that all covered are not affected by any sudden exits. These companies are at their will to reinsure the balance 60% or increase their retention.
Connected health: how are connected devices and products changing the market; much take-up yet?
This is a very new area regarding insurance, especially in the region, there are various insurers and projects exploring the impact of this on health insurance, and patient outcomes related to healthcare. However, I believe it is too soon to tell how our demographic will react on a large scale
Emerging markets: How are mobile-based products and micro-insurance products boosting insurance penetration?
There is very limited penetration I believe regarding mobile based micro-insurance products in the local market, but traction is picking up, however there are proven successes in other markets globally. Therefore, I would foresee this increasing in the future.