The Healthcare System in Israel

The National Insurance Institute (Bituach Leumi) is responsible for the social security of Israeli residents and plays a crucial role in Israel’s healthcare system. It gathers funds from all of the nation’s residents, taking into account their income and insurance status. These funds are subsequently redistributed to provide healthcare to those who require it.

Under the National Health Insurance Law, Bituach Leumi allocates the tax to the various Kupot Cholim, Israel’s HMOs. The chosen HMO is obligated to provide insured individuals with a standardized Healthcare Basket that meets the requirements set by law. Visit this website for more detailed information regarding National Insurance.

Calculating Fees for Healthcare
The calculation of payments to Bituach Leumi for healthcare in Israel depends on various factors, primarily the individual’s income from employment or other sources, which may include foreign-based income. Additionally, the person’s employment status is taken into consideration.
This includes:

• Salaried employees
• The self-employed
• The unemployed

The specific guidelines for determining the tax are based on these factors. It is important to be aware of your employment status and income level as they play a significant role in determining the appropriate national healthcare insurance fees you are required to pay.

Learn more about the various rates and amounts of insurance payments here.

Find out if you qualify for an exemption from paying national insurance here.

The Israeli Health Ministry recognizes that individuals who are homebound due to health issues often require more care than the average person. As a result, those who have reached retirement age and continue to live in their own homes may qualify for long-term care benefits if they need assistance from another person to perform basic daily tasks. This benefit is also available to those who require home supervision for their personal safety and the safety of those around them.
The primary objective of this benefit is to support the elderly population and their family members in providing necessary care (Siude) and assistance. The service is offered both publicly and privately.

Mazal Tov, you’re expecting a baby!
This means that you or your spouse may be interested in Lamaze classes, ultrasounds, and down the road, a visit to the delivery room.
It’s worth noting that Israel, being such a young country, also encourages childbirth to sustain and increase its population, offering subsidies for IVF fertilization treatments as part of its health services.
Once you have confirmed your pregnancy, it is advisable to schedule your first appointment with a gynecologist (OBGYN).

To learn more about pregnancy and childbirth in Israel, visit the Health Ministry’s website here.

After you have given birth, your next step is to go to your nearest Family Health Center Tipat Halav. Tipat Halav represents a network of clinics dedicated to delivering essential public health services within the community, with a primary focus on providing comprehensive care to infants and toddlers through well-baby clinics. These Tipot Halav clinics are overseen by district health offices (Lishkat Briut Ezorit) and are primarily staffed by public health nurses. Also, these clinics have a team of specialists, including doctors, dietitians, health advisors, and social workers, who work together to deliver high-quality care to the community.

Here’s a reason to smile: Your dental care is also subsidized by Israel’s healthcare system. You can find a dentist in Israel through various means. The Ministry of Health offers a list of dental professionals and their areas of expertise. Asking for recommendations from friends, fellow expatriates, and colleagues can also be useful. Additionally, a quick online search can lead you to local dental professionals in your area.

Israel’s 4 HMOs each have their own dental plan:

• Leumit Dental Care
• Clalit Smile
• Maccabi Dent
• Meuhedet

It’s important to note that the 4 HMOs in Israel also operate for-profit dentistry practices. These practices offer discounted services to members who have supplementary insurance with the respective HMO. If you choose to visit one of these practices, the Kupah will assign you a dentist. It’s worth mentioning that during each visit, you may be assigned to a different dentist.

The National Insurance Institute provides various benefits to individuals with lower body impairments that affect their mobility. These benefits are designed to help them integrate into the community and promote an independent lifestyle. While some benefits are tailored to car owners, it’s important to note that certain benefits are also accessible to individuals who do not own a car.

Health isn’t only about physical well-being. Mental health ranges from common challenges like anxiety and depression to more complex conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Mental health is a crucial component of our overall well-being, and taking care of it is essential for leading a fulfilling and balanced life.

The Israeli Health Ministry recognizes the importance of mental health, and that’s why every Israeli citizen has the right to access psychiatric and psychological care.
Additional benefits may be available depending on factors such as mental health status and age. HMOs (Kupot Cholim) are tasked with providing these services to their members and municipalities are requested to provide this vital service for children in their cities. These services are also available through private providers.

Kupot Cholim throughout the country have mental health clinics offering comprehensive services related to mental well-being. Patients seeking initial treatment are advised to access services through these mental health clinics, which provide psychological, psychiatric, and social work care. Some of the clinics may offer occupational therapy. The cost of therapy at these clinics is subsidized with a quarterly co-payment.

In Israel, various methods of alternative medicines are commonly practiced, encompassing a wide range of approaches. These include Homoeopathy, Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Reflexology, Reiki, Shiatsu, Chiropractic, Biofeedback, Ayurvedic Medicine, Naturopathy, various massage techniques, Bach Flower remedies, Feldenkrais, Anthroposophy, Twina, Osteopathy, Paula and others. While this selection provides a glimpse into the diverse landscape of alternative medicine in Israel, it is important to note that this list is not exhaustive. Many of these alternative medicine practices have found their place within the clinics of the public healthcare system in Israel, as well as numerous private clinics.

Each of the 4 public health providers in Israel, provides alternative medicine options. You can find more information on this matter on their respective websites.

Organ donation holds significant importance in Judaism, reflecting the value of preserving and saving human life. According to Jewish beliefs, saving one life is akin to saving an entire world, underscoring the immense value and sanctity of each person’s life. This concept encourages the community to actively endorse and participate in organ donation, enabling others to pursue their life journeys. By embracing the altruistic act of organ donation, individuals can make a substantial and wide-reaching difference by saving lives and strengthening the bonds of our shared humanity.
If you would like to become an organ donor after you pass away, you can obtain an Adi card. This means that you can potentially improve or save the lives of patients in need of transplants.