Glossary: Hebrew Medical/Healthcare Terms
For a glossary of health-related terms (provided by English Hebrew by Subject), click here.
| Translation | Transliteration |
עברית |
| Diagnosis | Ivchun |
אבחון |
| Blood tests | Bedikat Dam |
בדיקת דם |
| Supplemental insurance provided by the health plans |
Bituach Mashlim, also called Shaban or Sherutei Briut Nosafim |
ביטוח משלים |
| Long-term care, usually provided in nursing home facilities | Bituach Siudi |
ביטוח סיעודי |
| Hospital | Beit Cholim |
בית חולים |
| Pharmacy, chemist | Beit Merkachat |
בית מרקחת |
| Referral, usually to a specialist, tests or other medical services | Hafnaya |
הפנייה |
| Co-payment or out of pocket payment for medical services or medications | Hishtatfut Atzmit | השתתפות עצמית |
| Also known as Tofes Shva Esreh (17). This is a document stating that the health plan will pay for a service such as emergency room visit or hospitalization |
Hitchayvut |
התחייבות |
| Emergency room | Cheder Miyun |
חדר מיון |
| See hitchayvut | Tofes Shva Esreh (17) |
טופס 17 |
| Treatment | Tipul |
טיפול |
| Ambulance services | MADA (Magen David Adom) |
מד”א |
| Clinic | Mirpa’ah |
מרפאה |
| Outpatient clinic in hospital | Mirpa’at Chutz |
מרפאת חוץ |
| Health plan | Kupat Cholim |
קופת חולים |
| Specialist | Rofeh Mumcheh |
רופא מומחה |
| Family physician | Rofeh Mishpacha |
רופא משפחה |
| Independent physician who works from private offices |
Rofeh Atzma’i |
רופא עצמאי |
| Dentist | Rofeh Shinayim |
רופא שיניים |
| Alternative medicine including chiropractics, homeopathy, reflexology, acupuncture, etc. | Refuah Mashlima |
רפואה משלימה |
| See Bituach Mashlim | Shaban (Sherutei Bruit Nosafim) |
שב”ן (שירותי בריאות נוספים) |
| Private health services within a public hospital | Sharap (Sherutei Bruit Prati’im) |
שר”פ (שירותי בריאות פרטיים) |
| Waiting period for eligibility of services, usually for supplemental and long-term care | Tekufat Hamtana | תקופת המתנה |
Aspiring to bring your healthcare career to Israel but struggling with Hebrew?
Learn more about Medical Ulpan here: nbn.org.il/md-ulpan
* Last updated on January 11, 2026 *
