One of the first and most important steps every new Oleh must take on arriving in Israel is registering with a Kupat Cholim. Israel’s national health fund system. Unlike many countries where private health insurance is optional or where a single national system handles everything automatically, Israel operates a unique multi-fund model: universal healthcare is guaranteed by law to every resident, but delivered through four competing health funds. Choosing the right Kupat Cholim and understanding how to use it effectively can make a significant difference to your healthcare experience as a new immigrant. This guide covers everything you need to know: how the system works, the four funds compared, what is covered, what is not covered, supplemental insurance options, and practical tips for new Olim.
How Israel’s Healthcare System Works
Israel’s healthcare system is governed by the National Health Insurance Law of 1994, which guarantees comprehensive healthcare to every Israeli resident. There is no opt-out. Every resident of Israel: including Olim Chadashim from their first day: is entitled to healthcare through one of four approved health funds (Kupot Cholim). The cost is funded through a combination of national health tax (mas briut) deducted automatically from wages and a supplementary capitation payment from the state.
The “basket of services” (sal briut) defines the minimum package of healthcare services every Kupat Cholim must provide to all members. This basket is set annually by the Ministry of Health and includes: primary care physician (rofeh mishpacha) consultations, specialist referrals, hospitalization, emergency care, diagnostic tests and imaging, a wide range of prescription medications on the approved drug list (rashimat ha’adifut), maternity care, mental health services, and preventive care including vaccinations. The basket is comprehensive by international standards, and for most common medical needs, Olim will find their healthcare needs well covered.
The key decision every new Oleh must make is choosing which of the four Kupot Cholim to join. Each fund provides the mandatory basket of services but competes on the quality and breadth of supplemental services, the network and quality of affiliated doctors and specialists, the convenience of clinics and digital services, and the cost and coverage of optional supplemental insurance (bituach mashlamah).
The Four Kupot Cholim Compared
Clalit (כללית): The largest Kupat Cholim in Israel, serving approximately 55% of the population. Clalit owns and operates its own network of clinics, hospitals (including major institutions like Hadassah Ein Kerem, Beilinson, and Carmel), and pharmacies. This integrated model means that many services can be obtained under one roof. Clalit is particularly well-established in cities and development towns across Israel, making it accessible even outside the major urban centres. The downside of integration is less flexibility in choosing private providers. Clalit members generally use Clalit facilities. The supplemental insurance (Clalit Mushlam) is competitively priced and comprehensive. For new Olim settling outside the major cities, Clalit often has the widest local infrastructure.
Maccabi (מכבי): The second-largest fund, serving approximately 26% of Israelis. Maccabi operates on a network model: it does not own hospitals but maintains contracts with private specialists, clinics, and hospitals across the country. This gives members more flexibility in choosing their providers. Maccabi is known for its strong digital services (the Maccabi app and online portal are widely regarded as user-friendly), its English-language services, and its reputation for attracting high-quality specialists to its network. Maccabi is particularly popular among the English-speaking Oleh community, in cities like Ra’anana, Modi’in, and Herzliya, and among families with strong preferences for private specialist care.
Meuhedet (מאוחד): The third-largest fund, serving approximately 12% of Israelis. Meuhedet has invested heavily in digital services and is known for its efficient online booking system and strong primary care. Its network is particularly concentrated in Tel Aviv and the centre of Israel. Meuhedet has a reputation for shorter waiting times and a patient-friendly approach. Its supplemental plan (Meuhedet Sheli) offers strong dental and optical benefits. For Olim settling in central Israel who prioritise efficiency and digital accessibility, Meuhedet is worth serious consideration.
Leumit (לאומית): The smallest of the four funds, serving approximately 7% of the population. Leumit is known for shorter waiting times for specialists due to its smaller membership base, competitive supplemental insurance pricing, and good service in Jerusalem and the north. Leumit may be a good choice for Olim in Jerusalem or the Galilee who are less concerned about national network breadth and more interested in personalised service and faster access.
How to Register with a Kupat Cholim as a New Oleh
Registration is simple and can be done on your first or second day in Israel. Visit any branch of your chosen Kupat Cholim with your Teudat Oleh and Teudat Zehut (or your passport if the Teudat Zehut has not yet been issued). You will complete a short membership form and receive a membership card, typically on the same day. Coverage begins immediately upon registration: there is no waiting period for Olim Chadashim.
You may change your Kupat Cholim twice per year, in January and July. If you register and later find that the fund does not meet your needs, you have the option to switch. However, switching during the year means you cannot switch again for another six months, so it is worth researching your choice carefully before joining. Factors to consider include: the clinics available in your specific neighbourhood, the languages spoken by local primary care doctors, the fund’s digital services and app, and the cost and coverage of supplemental insurance.
Your Primary Care Doctor (Rofeh Mishpacha)
Once registered, you will be assigned or will choose a primary care physician (rofeh mishpacha: family doctor). The rofeh mishpacha is your gateway to the Israeli healthcare system: for most specialist referrals, you will need a referral from your primary doctor. In Clalit, the rofeh mishpacha works within a Clalit clinic; in Maccabi and Meuhedet, they may be affiliated with the fund but practice in a private or semi-private setting.
For new Olim with limited Hebrew, finding an English-speaking rofeh mishpacha is a priority. Most Kupot Cholim can direct you to English-speaking doctors in your area: ask specifically when registering. In cities with large Anglo communities (Ra’anana, Modi’in, Netanya, Jerusalem, Herzliya), English-speaking primary care doctors are readily available. In smaller towns, you may need to travel slightly further to find one, or use telephone or video consultation services where available.
Supplemental Insurance (Bituach Mashlamah)
Each Kupat Cholim offers optional supplemental insurance (bituach mashlamah or “complementary” insurance) that extends coverage beyond the mandatory basket. The supplemental plan typically covers: faster access to specialists, private hospital rooms, coverage for medications not on the standard drug list, dental care (partial), optical care, alternative medicine, fertility treatments beyond the state-funded entitlement, and overseas emergency cover. The cost of supplemental insurance varies by fund and age: for a young adult it may be NIS 80-150 per month; for a 50+ individual it can be significantly higher.
Most Israeli healthcare professionals strongly advise new Olim to take out the Kupat Cholim’s supplemental insurance immediately on joining, as pre-existing conditions may be excluded if you add coverage later. There is typically a window of 60-90 days after joining during which you can add supplemental cover without medical underwriting. Miss this window and you may face exclusions for any conditions diagnosed before you applied.
In addition to the Kupat Cholim’s own supplemental plan, several private insurers (including Magen David Adom, Harel, and others) offer additional layers of private hospital and surgical cover. These are worth considering for Olim with complex medical histories or who anticipate significant medical needs, but they are not essential for most new immigrants whose basic and supplemental Kupat Cholim cover is substantial.
What Is Not Covered
Despite the comprehensiveness of Israel’s healthcare basket, several categories are not covered or are only partially covered: cosmetic procedures, most dental care beyond basic children’s dental, optical care (glasses and contact lenses), hearing aids, long-term care, and some newer medications not yet added to the approved drug list. The supplemental insurance plans cover some of these gaps, but not all. Dental care is a notable omission: most adult Israelis pay out of pocket for dental treatment or rely on supplemental plan dental benefits, which cover only a portion of costs. Olim accustomed to comprehensive dental coverage as part of their home-country healthcare should budget separately for dental expenses in Israel.
Healthcare in Practice: Tips for New Olim
Book your first appointment with your rofeh mishpacha as early as possible after registration: in some busy clinics, initial appointment slots fill up quickly. Use the Kupat Cholim’s app or online portal to book appointments, view test results, renew prescriptions, and access your medical records. All four funds offer English-language app interfaces. Bring a list of your current medications (with generic names) to your first appointment. Israeli pharmacies stock most common medications but under different brand names. Prescriptions are fulfilled at the Kupat Cholim’s affiliated pharmacy network, typically at subsidised rates for medications on the standard list.
Do I need to register with a Kupat Cholim immediately on arriving in Israel?
Yes: you should register with a Kupat Cholim within your first one to two days in Israel. As a new Oleh Chadash, you are entitled to healthcare from your first day, but this entitlement only activates once you physically register at a Kupat Cholim branch. Until you register, you cannot access the system. Registration is quick (15-20 minutes) and requires only your Teudat Oleh and Teudat Zehut (or passport). There is no waiting period and no medical examination required for initial membership.
Which Kupat Cholim is best for English-speaking Olim?
Maccabi is widely regarded as the most popular choice among English-speaking Olim, particularly in central Israel (Ra’anana, Modi’in, Herzliya, Tel Aviv). Its app and online portal have strong English interfaces, its specialist network is extensive, and it has a reputation for higher-quality English-speaking doctors in Anglo-heavy communities. That said, Clalit, Meuhedet, and Leumit all have English-speaking doctors in areas with significant Anglophone populations. The best choice depends on your specific neighbourhood and the doctors available locally: check which English-speaking primary care doctors are available near your home before deciding.
Can I switch Kupat Cholim after joining?
Yes. You can switch Kupat Cholim twice per year, in January and July. Visit a branch of your new chosen fund and they will handle the transfer. Note that if you have already enrolled in your current fund’s supplemental insurance, switching funds means losing that coverage and potentially facing medical underwriting exclusions when you enrol in the new fund’s supplemental plan. This is an important consideration: if you have a pre-existing condition, switching funds mid-year could leave you without supplemental cover for that condition.
Is dental care covered by the Kupat Cholim?
Basic dental care for children up to age 18 is included in the state healthcare basket. For adults, dental care is not included in the mandatory basket. Some Kupat Cholim supplemental plans include partial dental coverage: check your specific supplemental plan for details. Most adult Israelis pay out of pocket for dental treatment or use supplemental plan dental benefits for partial reimbursement. Israeli dental care is generally of high quality; major cities have numerous dental clinics and the cost, while not inexpensive, is generally lower than in the UK or North America.
What happens to my medications from my home country when I make Aliyah?
Most common medications available in Western countries are also available in Israel, though often under different brand names. Bring a list of your current medications with their generic (scientific) names, not just brand names. At your first appointment with your Israeli rofeh mishpacha, they can prescribe the Israeli equivalents. Bring a supply of your current medications to cover you for at least two to three months while you establish yourself in the Israeli system. Some specialist medications not on Israel’s standard drug list may need to be obtained through supplemental insurance or private prescription.
Is mental health care covered by the Kupat Cholim?
Yes. Mental health services were formally integrated into the mandatory healthcare basket in 2015 under the mental health reform. All Kupot Cholim are required to provide access to psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and mental health services as part of the standard package. Wait times for mental health services through the state system can be long, and many people supplement with private therapy (at their own cost or through supplemental insurance). English-speaking therapists and psychiatrists are available in major cities, though the list of available providers varies by fund and location.