The local healthcare insurance system in Israel known as “Kupot Cholim“ provides all Israeli residents with free access to basic medical care.
The Kupot Cholim is divided into four health insurance funds. Each Israeli citizen is free to choose the health fund he/she wants to register with:
- the Clalit health fund covers 54% of Israeli citizens
- the Maccabi health fund covers 23% of Israeli citizens
- the Meuhedet health fund covers 12% of Israeli citizens
- the Leumit health fund covers less than 10% of Israeli citizens
However, they can switch health funds every six months. Each year, the Ministry of Health releases a list of basic medical care that must be covered by all health funds in order to avoid competition between the four health funds.
Still, this insurance cover is not enough as it only reimburses basic medical care set by the government. This is why it is highly recommended to take out top-up health insurance. But you will often have to pay an out-of-pocket amount for certain services (e.g. for drugs) even if you are covered by a complementary health insurance plan.
The local healthcare system is funded via contributions deducted from salaries. The contributions collected are then split between the four health funds by the Kupot Cholim.
