Know your rights!
Below you will find the Pamphlet for the Soldier in Mandatory Service, made by the Headquarters of the Chief Medical Officer of the Health Services Department.
Medical Care Within the Unit
In general, the medical care given to IDF soldiers is done so by the unit’s doctor. Soldiers who serve in outside bases are treated by medical staff of the civilian GMOs (Kupot Holim) until the end of the contract on November 1, 2014.
Urgent Medical Care Outside of the Unit
If you are outside the unit and you experience a medical problem that cannot wait until your return to the unit, you must turn to your local chain of the “bikurrofe” network according to geographical distribution. Remember! “bikurrofe” clinics are designed for providing immediate care, until your return to the unit for continuation of treatment–not for treatment of a continuing medical condition.
Medical Treatment in the Emergency Room
IDF and “bikurrofe” doctors are authorized to send you to an ER in order to receive urgent care. At the time of the referral, they will print you a referral paper along with budgetary authorization. You must bring the results of your ER visit to your unit’s doctor in order to continue treatment. Any civilian or soldier who goes to the ER independently and without a doctor’s referral will be responsible for all expenses of the ER visit. You have the right to submit a request to your unit’s doctor to receive authorization retroactively (form 119), but there are very few cases in which this is authorized. If your request is rejected, you must settle the debt independently with the hospital.
We recommend for soldiers to turn to their unit’s doctor or doctors of “bikurrofe” at the time of a medical problem. ERs are intended only for urgent medical cases.
Civilian Car Accident
In the event that you are involved in a civilian car accident and referred directly to the ER, you must acquire form 119 at the hospital. In order to receive the approval, you must turn to your unit’s doctor with the police record of the accident.
Examination By a Specialist
A referral to a specialist is given by the unit’s doctor as part of medical evaluation and treatment. Once you receive the referral, you must arrange the appointment with the necessary clinic. During 2013, the Medical Corps established a nationwide center “m’kol halev” for the purpose of arranging appointments to both military and civilian clinics. The center is open during all hours of the day and you will receive a response from service representatives and registered nurses in a swift, professional manner. In order to make an appointment, have your army ID and referral ready when you call. It is your responsibility to update your commander and arrive at the clinic on time with all the relevant medical information/documents/films.
Remember! After the exam, you must make an appointment with your unit’s doctor and provide him with the results of the specialist exam. Don’t keep the answers to yourself!
Limitations on Activities and Fitness for Duty
The giving of “ptorim” (exemptions) and other easing measures are intended as a response to exceptional medical situations or exeptional tasks in which the soldier requires special measures or protections in addition to what is prescribed by his profile. The goal of the exemption is protection of the soldier’s health along with details of his limitations and what he can continue to do to serve in his position and profession. The exemption is part of treatment an can be given only by a doctor–for either a limited time or a constant exemption.
Rest Days
The doctor will set his recommendations, according to his exam or for the needs of the treatment plan, as follows:
- Fit for duty, according to medical profile, without additional limitations.
- Fit for duty, according to medical profile, but with limitations (“betim”) as the doctor will detail.
- Not fit for duty and must rest and avoid all activities (“gimmelim”) for a total number of days that the doctor will set. gimmelim can be within the unit, at home, or at another place set by the doctor.
The doctor can order you to attend a medical examination or treatment at any time, including on gimmelim, according to the medical need and in consideration of your medical status and level of mobility.
| M’Kol Halev center for soldiers: To make appointments and receive guidance and professional response from a representative, 24 hours a day |
Shortened dial: *6690 Army phone: 0333-9999 Civilian phone: 03-948-9999 For complaints and perach inquisitions: ext. 3 |
| Mahut center for support of victims of family violence, abusive relationships, sexual violence or pregnant soldiers | Army phone: 0333-2600 Civilian phone: 03-948-2600 |
| Bikur Rofe clinics | For addresses and hours: *6101 Website: www.bikurofe.co.il |
| Magen David Adom ambulances: If you were referred to the ER by an MDA ambulance, you must provide MDA with a photocopy of your army ID and the financial debt forms by mail or fax. |
Fax: 03-630-6005 Email: [email protected] |
| Other information can be found on the harap site on tzahalnet and the internet at www.refua.atal.idf.il |