Cannabis in Israel
Medical cannabis has transformed lives worldwide, offering relief and hope for patients with various health conditions. In Israel, a leader in cannabis research and innovation, accessing medical cannabis requires a thorough yet streamlined process overseen by the Ministry of Health’s Medicinal Cannabis Unit (Yakar).
Hiring a Foreign Care Worker
Caring for an elderly or frail family member can be challenging and demanding, often requiring round-the-clock supervision. As the care needs become overwhelming for family members, it's important to explore other care options. Hiring a 24-hour foreign care worker to care for your relative in their own home can be a cost-effective alternative to nursing homes.
Private/Supplemental Health Insurance in Israel
For one living in Israel and wanting top quality medical care, it is usually unnecessary to travel abroad to receive it, as Israel is a country where advanced medical care is available. In fact, Israel does a lively business catering to the medical needs of wealthy foreigners who choose to come here to receive high quality medical care.
Traveler’s Health Insurance
While the health plans cover your health needs while physically in Israel, this coverage does not extend to visits abroad. In light of this, it is important to purchase traveler's insurance for short and long visits outside of Israel, to cover routine and emergency medical care for yourself and your children.
Transplant and Organ Donation
Israel’s National Transplant and Organ Donation Center, Adi maintains a computerized database of Israeli citizens who have stated that they are willing to donate their organs to be used in organ transplants, in the case of death.
Reimbursement for Medical Treatment
An individual who is entitled to health coverage (see Healthcare Overview) and, prior to registering with a Kupat Cholim, requires medical care, will need to pay for the treatment independently.
Dental Care
While dental care in Israel is not included in the basic Israeli health insurance plans (Kupot Cholim), the costs are significantly lower than they are in the U.S. Supplemental insurance plans (available through the Kupot) often cover some free treatments and/or discounts on dental care, including one free checkup with x-rays per year.
Pregnancy and Birth
B’Shaah Tovah! Knowing what to do when you’re pregnant (especially for the first time) can be a daunting task. When you compound this with being an Olah in a new country where the language may be a barrier, figuring out how to obtain the necessary care can be especially challenging.
Healthcare Services
Listing of Government Offices and Private Medical Organizations
Children with Food Allergies
According to Misrad Hachinuch (Ministry of Education),Israel currently has thousands of children with serious food allergies studying in the elementary school system. The most common food allergies among Israeli children are milk, eggs, peanuts, soy, sesame, walnuts and fish.
The Advantages of Private Health Insurance
"Health services provided here within, given upon medical opinion, shall be of adequate quality, within a reasonable time period and at a reasonable distance from the residence of the patient… and all within the financial recourses available to the HMOs (Kupat-holim)…"
Glossary: Hebrew Medical/Healthcare Terms
A glossary of Hebrew health-related terms
Switching Kupot Cholim
If you are unsatisfied with your Kupat Cholim (Health Plan) or feel that you can be better serviced by a different Kupah, you may switch to a new Kupah at any time, provided that you have been a member of your current Kupah for at least six months.
Tipat Chalav
Tipat Chalav is a system of clinics that provide community public health services, primarily to infants and toddlers (well-baby clinics). The Tipot Chalav are administered by district health offices (Lishkat Briut Ezorit) and are staffed mainly by public health nurses. Additional staff include physicians, dieticians, health consultants and social workers.
Kupot Cholim
Four health plans, or Kupot Cholim, provide health care services in Israel: Maccabi, Meuhedet, Clalit and Leumit. Each health plan offers several levels of service: the basic basket of services, supplemental insurance and long-term care insurance.
Childhood Vaccinations, Flu Shots
Childhood Chisunim are given at Tipat Chalav (well-baby clinics) and in school. If your child is born in Israel, you will receive a Pinkas Chisunim (vaccination booklet) when the baby is born, before you leave the hospital. If your child is born abroad, a Pinkas Chisunim will be issued at your first Tipat Chalav visit.
Overview of Israeli Healthcare System
Every resident of Israel is insured for healthcare under the National Health Insurance Law, through payment of monthly premiums to the National Insurance Institute (Bituach Leumi). New Olim, Ktinim Chozrim and Ezrachim Olim are entitled to up to one year of free health insurance for the basic level of coverage, if they are not working.
