Visit Ukraine - Healthcare in Israel for Ukrainians - insurance, doctors, pharmacies, free services

How the system is organized (public, private, insurance) Types of medical institutions and levels of care Who has access to public healthcare (residency criterion) Who is NOT covered by the basket and what should foreigners/non-residents do What is included in the Health Basket? How to get state insurance (for those who become residents) Is private insurance mandatory for foreigners?

How the system is organized (public, private, insurance)

Israel has a universal state system based on the State (National) Health Insurance Law of 1995. Every resident is obliged to be a member of one of four non-profit health funds (Kupot Holim / HMOs): Clalit, Maccabi, Meuhedet, Leumit. They provide a guaranteed “Health Basket” - a minimum of medical care determined by the state. Financing: mandatory health insurance premiums through the National Insurance Institute (Bituach Leumi) + budget subsidies; HMOs act as insurer-providers of services.

At the same time, there is a private sector (private clinics/hospitals, commercial policies), as well as additional (supplementary) SHABAN insurance at the cash registers themselves - it does not replace the basic basket, but expands it ( shorter waiting lists, choice of surgeon, part of dentistry, etc.). The Ministry of Health regulates the amount of additional payments and the terms of additional packages.

Types of medical institutions and levels of care

Primary healthcare: family doctors, pediatricians, outpatient services in the cells (branches) of your health insurance fund - this is where sick leave is opened, prescriptions are written, and referrals to narrow specialists are made.
Specialized outpatient clinics: consultations with subspecialists, diagnostics, MRI/CT, day hospitals - in HMO networks or in contracted centers. Regulated co-payments often apply.
Hospitals: state, municipal, non-profit, and private hospitals. Hospitalization is usually covered by the basic basket, but comfortable conditions/private rooms are covered by SHABAN or private insurance.

Who has access to public healthcare (residency criterion)

Residents of Israel are eligible for the basic basket - persons whose “center of life” is in the country (family, work/study, housing). To confirm residency status, the decision is made by Bituach Leumi. If a person has left the country for a long time and returns, there may be a waiting period before the right to services is restored (1 month for each year of absence; minimum 2, maximum 6 months) - there are mechanisms for early renewal through a contribution.

New immigrants (olim) can register with the health insurance fund from the first day of arrival (at the airport or at post offices). Then you can change the health insurance fund according to the general rules.

Who is NOT covered by the basket and what should foreigners/non-residents do

Tourists, visitors, and most foreigners without residency are not covered by the law and must have private (international) health insurance. In case of an emergency, assistance is provided, but the patient/insurance is billed.
Students with an A/2 visa: international health insurance is required when applying for a visa (a policy for the entire period of study).
Foreign workers: the employer is obliged to take out private health insurance for the employee in accordance with the Foreign Workers Act (1991). This is separate from the state basket.
Children without status: for some categories, there is a special mechanism for accessing services through Leumit (registration without status; conditions are periodically updated). Check the current rules on gov.il.

What is included in the Health Basket?

The basic basket regulates the list of guaranteed services: primary care (family doctor/pediatrician), specialist consultations, hospitalization, laboratory and instrumental diagnostics, psychiatry, a number of prevention programs, partial reimbursement of medicines according to the approved list. The list is reviewed annually by a state committee, and co-payments are regulated by the Ministry of Health.

Certain services (e.g., part of adult dentistry, enhanced comfort of hospitalization, advanced diagnostics without waiting in line) are usually covered through SHABAN (supplementary cashier packages) or private insurance. The amount and procedure of co-payments (for consultations, diagnostics, medications) are determined centrally and may differ between the funds; the Ministry of Health website has guides/comparison.

How to get state insurance (for those who become residents)

1. Confirm residency with Bituach Leumi (questionnaire/procedure for new/returning residents).

2. Register at the selected cash desk - online via NII/gov.il or at a post office (initial registration is available immediately after confirmation of status).

3. Pay contributions to Bituach Leumi (usually deducted from the salary or paid independently). Services begin after registration; a waiting period (up to 6 months) is possible for returning residents.

Transferring between cash desks

Residents can change their cashier twice within 12 months; they can apply online or by mail. In exceptional cases, an accelerated transition is possible with the approval of the Ministry of Health.

Is private insurance mandatory for foreigners?

Yes, it is. For tourists, A/2 students, most foreign workers and dependents, private/international insurance is actually a prerequisite for legal stay/visa and practical access to healthcare (the state basket does not apply to them). For foreign workers, the policy must be provided by the employer for the entire period of employment.

International health insurance for traveling/studying/working in Israel - here is the link

Channels of registration in the state system (Kupot Holim)

Each health insurance fund (Clalit, Maccabi, Meuhedet, Leumit) has its own online system for enrollment, which is available only to members:

Mobile apps and web portals. In the app, you can choose a doctor, see a calendar of free dates, receive an electronic referral or prescription, and order a second opinion.
Call centers. Each cash desk has a single number. Support is available in Hebrew, sometimes in Russian or English. For Ukrainians, it is useful to specify the language when calling.
Kiosks/terminals in clinics. If you come in person, you can make an appointment through the machine in the lobby.
Directly see a doctor. Family doctors and pediatricians often have their own phone numbers/secretaries for appointments.

For example: Clalit (the largest cash desk) has the Clalit Online app; Maccabi has Maccabi Online. They are integrated with the electronic medical record.

Do I need a referral?

To see a family doctor or pediatrician - no referral is required, this is your “entry point” to the system.
A referral from a family doctor is usually required to see a subspecialist (neurologist, cardiologist, orthopedist, etc.). Sometimes an additional approval is required from the health insurance fund, especially for expensive diagnostic procedures (MRI, CT).
Direct appointment is possible in the private sector (without a referral), but at your own expense.

Waiting time

In public health insurance funds: a visit to a family doctor usually takes several days. For subspecialists, waiting times can range from 2-3 weeks to several months, depending on the region and specialty.
In private clinics: an appointment is usually available the next day, but the cost is much higher.

Important: urgent cases are treated without waiting in line at HMO emergency rooms or hospitals.

Making an appointment in private medicine

You can go directly to any private clinic or hospital. Appointments can be made by phone, through websites or WhatsApp.

In the private sector, you can choose your own doctor, time, and clinic. Prices vary: a consultation costs from 400 to 1000 shekels, depending on the specialty and region. International insurance policies are often accepted, but it is better to check the conditions before your visit.

Nuances for foreigners

Tourists: without local insurance, it is impossible to register with health insurance funds. You need to go to private clinics or hospitals (with payment on the spot or through international insurance).

Students and foreign workers: enrollment is based on a private insurance policy issued by the employer or university. There are usually no conditions for access to online HMO systems.

Ukrainians with temporary protection status: if they are registered with Leumit or another insurance company under special programs, they have standard access to the registration system.

Differences between public and private healthcare

Public (Kupot Holim): lower cost, basic basket coverage, access through a family doctor, queues.
Private: speed, choice of doctor and clinic, comfort, possibility of English/Russian reception; payment directly or through an international policy.

For long-term stays (work, study, repatriation), the public system is more cost-effective. For short trips and tourists, private healthcare is the only option.

The insurance system in Israel is designed to ensure that every resident of the country has access to healthcare. It operates on several levels and combines state compulsory insurance with additional and private policies. But it is important to understand that what is available to citizens and permanent residents does not apply to tourists or foreigners.

State insurance

The basis is compulsory insurance through health insurance funds (Kupot Holim). All citizens and residents are affiliated with one of four health funds: Clalit, Maccabi, Meuhedet, or Leumit. They provide a guaranteed “basket of services,” from a family doctor to hospitalization. Contributions to the system are automatically withheld through the National Insurance Institute (Bituach Leumi).

There is a special regime for new immigrants: they can sign up for insurance immediately upon arrival in Israel, and during the first year, they often receive benefits. For example, if a person is not yet working, he or she is compensated for the cost of basic insurance.

Additional packages (SHABAN)

Many residents also choose the so-called “add-ons” - these are paid packages at the ticket office. They allow you to

get an appointment faster,
choose a surgeon or clinic,
use rehabilitation programs,
receive partial dentistry or expensive medicines that are not included in the state basket.

Private and international insurance

For those who want to extend their coverage, there are commercial policies with wider options: treatment in private hospitals, expensive surgeries, even treatment abroad or medical evacuation.

But tourists, students, and foreign workers are not covered by the state basket at all. For them, insurance is not an option, but a mandatory condition of stay. A tourist must buy an international policy before the trip, a student must show insurance when applying for an A/2 visa, and an employer must take out a policy for a contract employee (B/1) at his or her own expense.

What is covered and what is not

Basic state insurance covers medical consultations, hospitalization, diagnostics, medicines from the official list, pregnancy and childbirth. But even here, there are co-payments (small amounts for seeing a narrow specialist or certain medications).

You should not expect the state to pay for adult dentistry, cosmetology, or psychotherapy - all of this is left out. Travel policies also usually do not cover chronic illnesses or pregnancy. Student and work packages often have a limited limit, for example, up to $100,000 per year.

Where to get a policy

There are several ways to take out insurance:

residents connect to a health insurance fund when applying for a status;
tourists and students buy an international policy in advance, most conveniently online, before leaving Ukraine. You can apply for an insurance policy on the Visit Ukraine website;
foreign employees are issued a policy by their employer;
additional packages (SHABAN) can be connected directly at the ticket office.

💡 Tip: always check whether your policy includes emergency hospitalization and medical evacuation. These are the most expensive services in Israel, and without insurance, the bill can reach tens of thousands of dollars.

Ukrainians' access to healthcare in Israel directly depends on their residence status. This determines whether they can use the state system or whether they will have to pay for services on their own or through a private policy.

Repatriates under the Law of Return

Ukrainians who came to Israel as olim (new immigrants) are automatically eligible for state insurance through one of the health funds. At Ben-Gurion Airport, you can choose your health fund and become a member. For the first year, unemployed newcomers have a benefit: basic insurance is free. This means that visits to a family doctor, referrals to specialists, hospitalization, and basic medications are covered in full. If a person starts working, premiums are paid through the employer.

Ukrainians with temporary protection status

For refugees from Ukraine who have been granted temporary protection status in Israel, the state has created a special mechanism for access to healthcare. Many can join the Leumit health insurance fund on the basis of reduced fees:

Children under 18 - about 140 shekels per month;
people over 60 years old - about 320 NIS per month.

These contributions allow you to use the same basket of services as residents: from a visit to a family doctor to hospitalization. This is an important point, because private healthcare in Israel is very expensive, and this opportunity greatly simplifies the lives of temporarily displaced Ukrainians.

Ukrainian students and employees

Those who come to Israel to study or work do not have access to public insurance. The only option for them is a private policy:

students need it to obtain an A/2 visa;
for contract workers (B/1), the policy is issued by the employer.

Such policies usually cover emergency care, medical consultations, and hospitalization, but the scope of services depends on the company. Without a policy, you will have to pay for any treatment yourself.

Tourists and short-term visitors

There is no free healthcare for Ukrainians who come to Israel as tourists. All services are available only at private expense or through insurance issued in Ukraine. Hospitalization without a policy can cost tens of thousands of dollars, so it is dangerous to travel to Israel without insurance.

What the state system covers

If a Ukrainian has access to public healthcare (through repatriation or temporary protection), he or she can receive

free consultations with a family doctor and pediatrician;
Referrals to narrow specialists;
hospitalization in state hospitals;
basic tests and diagnostics;
partial coverage of medicines from the state list;
services for pregnant women and women in labor;
vaccinations and preventive programs.

What is not covered

Even with state insurance, there are limitations. The following services are subject to payment:

dentistry for adults (except for emergency care)
cosmetic and plastic procedures;
some psychotherapy and alternative medicine;
medicines that are not included in the “basket”;
comfortable conditions in the hospital (for example, a single room).

What documents are required

In order to use free or reduced-price services, you must present

passport or identity card;
a health insurance card (for repatriates and temporary protection);
a certificate of temporary protection status (issued by the Israeli Ministry of Interior);
a student or work visa together with the policy - if you come to study or work.

The pharmacy network in Israel is developed and convenient. It consists of both chain pharmacies and pharmacies at health insurance funds (Kupot Holim).

The largest and most famous chain is Super-Pharm, which has hundreds of locations throughout the country. It is a pharmacy + shop where you can buy cosmetics and household goods.
Other options are pharmacies in supermarkets and shopping centers, as well as in the branches of Clalit, Maccabi, Meuhedet, and Leumit cash desks.
The easiest way to find a pharmacy is through Google Maps or health insurance fund mobile apps: they have a search function for the nearest pharmacy.

In big cities, pharmacies are open late, but in small towns, the schedule is limited, so you should check the opening hours in advance.

Over-the-counter and prescription medicines

The system of selling medicines in Israel is strictly regulated:

Only basic medicines can be bought without a prescription: antipyretics (paracetamol, ibuprofen), cough and cold remedies, vitamins, bandages, anti-allergic drops or pills.
Most antibiotics, strong painkillers, heart medications, hormones, psychotropic drugs, and almost all medications for chronic diseases are available with a prescription.

This means that it is impossible to buy serious medicines without consulting a doctor. For Ukrainians with chronic illnesses, it is important to bring a prescription from a doctor in Ukraine, translated into English or Hebrew, which can help you get a local prescription faster.

How to get a prescription

It all depends on your status:

Residents and those who are registered with the health insurance fund: a prescription is written by a family doctor or a narrow specialist. It is automatically saved in the system and available at the pharmacy - just show your card.
Foreigners with a private policy: a prescription can be written by a doctor at a private clinic. In this case, you will have to pay for the medicine yourself and then submit documents for reimbursement to your insurance company.
Tourists without a policy: a doctor at a private clinic will write a prescription, but all costs are borne by the patient.

Cost and coverage

For residents, medicines from the Health Basket list are sold at a discount: the patient pays only part of the cost (co-payment). For expensive drugs, there are additional financing programs, especially for cancer and rare diseases.

For foreigners without state insurance, the cost is full, and prices can be high: an antibiotic costs from 50 to 150 shekels, and complex drugs are many times more expensive.

Online ordering and delivery

Most large pharmacies (e.g., Super-Pharm) have websites and mobile apps where you can order medicines for home delivery. For non-prescription drugs, it's easy, but for prescription drugs, you need an electronic prescription from your doctor.

Health insurance funds also offer delivery of medicines to their patients: convenient for the elderly or those living in remote areas.

Are Ukrainian analogs available?

Many brands in Israel differ from those familiar to Ukrainians, but the active ingredients are the same. If you are accustomed to a particular drug, the best option is to write down its international name (INN) and show it to a pharmacist. They will help you find an analog among local medicines.

Pharmacists in big cities usually speak English or Russian, which makes communication much easier for Ukrainians.

In Israel, there is a centralized number 101 - the Magen David Adom (MDA) ambulance service. The call can be made from any mobile or landline phone.

Dispatchers usually speak Hebrew and English; in large cities, there are often operators who speak Russian.
You can download the MDA mobile app, which has an ambulance call and geolocation feature.

In addition to the public service, there is a volunteer organization called United Hatzalah, which arrives free of charge, often faster than the official ambulance, especially in large cities.

Do they provide services without insurance?

Yes, in case of a life-threatening situation, assistance is provided to anyone, even tourists without a policy. However:

1. If you have public or private insurance, the bill for services will be transferred to the insurance company.

2. If you are uninsured, you will be billed directly to the patient after the service is provided. The cost can be very high: an ambulance call costs 500 shekels or more, and hospitalization costs several thousand.

When help is free and when it is paid

1. Free of charge

for residents with state insurance (the basket of services covers emergency care and hospitalization);
for persons with temporary protection status registered with the insurance fund (e.g., Leumit);
in critical life-threatening conditions (regardless of status).

2. Paid:

for tourists without insurance;
for foreigners who do not have a policy;
for patients with a private policy, if the service is not covered (e.g., planned hospitalization).

How does hospitalization work?

Upon admission to the hospital, the patient is taken to the emergency room (ER).

If you are a member of a health insurance fund, the system will automatically adjust your coverage, and the costs are covered within the basket.
If you are a foreigner with a private policy, you need to show your insurance certificate. Most large hospitals cooperate with international companies.
If you have no insurance, you will be admitted, but you will have to pay the bill yourself.

Cost: from $250-400 for one visit to the ER, excluding tests, diagnostics, or hospitalization. Surgeries or a several-day stay in the department can cost thousands of dollars.

What documents to bring with you

You should always have with you:

passport;
health insurance card (if you are a resident or registered under the temporary protection program)
insurance policy (private or international);
documents on visa or temporary protection status.

This will allow you to quickly confirm your eligibility for free services or reimbursement of expenses.

If you receive an invoice

Sometimes foreigners are billed even in situations where some of the services should be free of charge. In this case:

1. Keep all documents and receipts.

2. Contact your insurance company to request reimbursement.

3. If you have temporary protection or residency status, you can appeal the bill through a health insurance fund or the Ministry of Health.

Healthcare in Israel is one of the highest quality in the world, but also one of the most expensive if you go without insurance. Therefore, preparation for your trip is the key to a relaxing stay.

Documents.

Before your trip, you should gather a set of medical documents that may come in handy:

Passport and visa (if required);
international insurance policy with a clear description of coverage;
for those with chronic diseases - doctor's notes, prescriptions and a list of medications with international names;
if you have temporary protection status or are applying for repatriation, take supporting certificates, as they provide access to public healthcare.

Mobile applications

In Israel, most medical services are integrated with digital services. Therefore, it is worth installing:

MDA (Magen David Adom) - for calling an ambulance and receiving instructions in emergency situations;
the app of your health insurance fund (Clalit, Maccabi, Meuhedet, Leumit) if you are a resident or registered in the system;
Super-Pharm - for ordering medicines online and finding the nearest pharmacy.

These apps are available in English and sometimes in Russian, so they are easy to use even without knowledge of Hebrew.

Useful phone numbers

Israel has short emergency numbers:

101 - ambulance (Magen David Adom);

100 - police;

102 - fire department.

Keep them in your phone, even if you have insurance: they work for free in critical situations.

Where to check official information

Current regulations and medical services can be checked on official portals:

The Israeli Ministry of Health (gov.il) - system structure, basket of services, contacts of hospitals;
websites of health insurance funds (Clalit, Maccabi, Meuhedet, Leumit) - making an appointment, doctor directories, the cost of additional packages.

Practical tips

1. Always have a copy of your insurance with you in paper or electronic form.

2. If you take medicines from Ukraine with you, check whether they are allowed in Israel, and be sure to bring them in their original packaging with instructions.

3. Do not count on “somehow getting by”. Without a policy, even a short visit to the hospital can cost several hundred dollars.

Medicine and health in Israel