How does health care work in Israel, and what travel insurance, health insurance or expat insurance do you need?

How does the health care system work in Israel?

Israel has an advanced healthcare system with excellent medical facilities and well-trained professionals. The country is known worldwide for its expertise in medical innovation and specialty care which attracts a lot of medical tourism.
For whatever reason you are moving to Israel, you are required to be covered by health insurance as an immigrant. So unless you are moving under the “Law of Return,” you do need to obtain international health insurance upon departure. Then, in Israel itself, you have more options.
Under the “Law of Return,” valid for Jews and some persons of Jewish descent, you are enrolled under a public health insurance company and do not have to pay anything for the first period.
There is little difference in quality between public and private care, yet private health care is widely used because of waiting times, options and facilities.
For emergency care, you can visit a family doctor's office or an emergency clinic. Outside of business hours, emergency clinics and telephone services are available.
For emergency medical services, you can call 101. Responses are quick and efficient. It can be helpful to know some medical words in Hebrew such as ambulans (ambulance) and atsiloo (help).

Israel has a universal health care system, the National Health Insurance Law, funded through a mandatory health care premium and taxes. If you are a foreigner working for a local company, you are automatically affiliated with the national system.
Are you working for yourself or retired? Then you have to sign up yourself with one of the four public health insurance companies: Clalit, Maccabi, Meuhedet, or Leumit. However, this can only be done once you are a permanent resident, and even then you have to wait a while before you can sign up. Therefore, it is wise to get international insurance first.
It does not matter which public insurer you are affiliated with, you can choose your own doctors as long as they are covered. You can also switch insurers again at any time.
Basic care such as doctor visits, specialist care, hospitalizations, medications, mental care and maternity care is fully covered.
Waiting times for non-emergency treatment can be long.

In addition to public care, quite a few residents still opt for additional private care. This offers faster access to specialists and more luxurious facilities. This can be through one of the four non-profit public health insurers, or through their own insurance.
Private healthcare is pricey. Because of reasons mentioned earlier, it is therefore wise for expats, especially temporary residents or people working for themselves, to get international health insurance.
Employers are required to arrange private health insurance for expats employed by them. However, it is still wise to get your own expat insurance to cover other issues such as repatriation.

Israel has a well-organized general practitioner system. With public insurance, you choose a family doctor through your health insurance company. This family doctor is your first point of contact for medical care and refers you to a specialist if necessary.
General practitioners are usually well trained and often speak English, especially in urban areas. GP care is part of the basic insurance, so there are no additional costs for consultations.

Dentists in Israel are excellently trained, and modern dental techniques are used.
Dental care for children under 18 is included in the basic insurance.
For adults, dental care is not included and must be paid out of pocket or through supplementary insurance.
Generally, dentists speak good English.

Israel has excellent care for pregnant women. Regular checkups, ultrasounds, and tests are fully covered by basic insurance.
Most deliveries take place in well-equipped hospitals. Special suites or private delivery rooms are available at additional cost.
Home births are also legal, but are rare. There are also birth centers that offer alternative birth options.
There is much support for breastfeeding, including lactation consultants in hospitals. Israel encourages breastfeeding as part of its health care strategy.
Abortion is legal under a number of conditions such as the pregnancy is a danger to the mother (both physical and mental), the fetus has a disease or severe abnormalities, the pregnancy was caused by rape or incest or the woman is unmarried and under 17.

Israel is generally safe, but you have to take into account the current geopolitical situation that can lead to violent outbursts.
Cities such as Tel Aviv and Haifa are very modern and safe, while areas near the Gaza Strip and some parts of the West Bank are best avoided.
There is a risk of kidnapping in Gaza and on the border with Egypt. There is also always the risk of rocket fire, although Israel has a well-working defense system.
Crime numbers are low, but as in any city, pickpocketing can occur.
Be especially careful during certain days and events such as Thursday, Saturday, after Friday prayers, Jewish holidays, Ramadan, other religious holidays and national holidays.

Tropical diseases are rare in Israel, but there is a small risk of mosquito-borne diseases in rural areas.
Standard vaccinations are recommended, including those against Hepatitis A and B.
Tap water is of high quality and safe to drink, thanks to advanced water treatment technologies.
In the dry southern part of the Negev, flooding can be a risk during bad weather.

Roads in Israel are well maintained. The road network is modern, with highways connecting major cities.
However, accidents are common due to reckless driving and poorly maintained cars.
Israel offers an efficient public transportation system with buses, trains and shared cars. Keep in mind that public transportation is limited on Friday nights and Saturdays (Sabbath).

Is the trip to Israel and your return sufficiently covered? Are you sufficiently covered before, during and after your activities? Which insurance best suits your trip and your activity? Read more about insurances for abroad on JoHoinsurances.org.

Since it is compulsory to be insured and as a temporary resident you are also not insured under the public system, it is important to get proper insurance yourself. Read more about insurances for abroad on Expatinsurances.org.

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