1
Level 1: Koupa (Daytime)
For day-to-day care and mild urgent issues. Ask for the Toren (on-call doctor) if your regular doctor is unavailable.
Olim Health 2026.
In Israel, healthcare is a universal right but
your choice of health fund (Koupa) changes everything.
Free · Bilingual · Available now
Lost in the Israeli health system?
Mordehai and Ella guide you step by step — Koupat Holim rights, French & English-speaking doctors, medical referrals. Real answers in a few hours.
🇮🇱 Based in Israel🇫🇷 🇺🇸 FR & EN⚡ Same-day reply🔒 Confidential
Volunteer support; your privacy respected. Mordehai (French) and Ella (English).
French & English-speaking doctors
Find a doctor who speaks your language
Our directory lists French & English-speaking doctors and specialists by city, updated by the OlimAid community.
List being built progressively. To add a doctor, contact the OlimAid team.
What is a Koupat Holim?
It's your health fund. It handles blood tests, specialist appointments and prescriptions.
Tests
Dental
Specialists
Emergency
The Basic Basket
The law requires ALL funds to offer the same basket of care. The difference? Number of clinics and appointment wait times in your city.
Choose your Koupa
Which Koupa for which profile?
Indicative data 2026. Check clinic availability in your city.
Clalit
Largest network — ideal if you live far from a city center or major urban area.
EN/FR doctorsStandard appLong waitsLarge network
Maccabi
RecommendedMost modern and popular with Olim — excellent app, English & French-speaking doctors in most cities.
EN/FR doctorsExcellent appLong waitsLarge network
Meuhedet
Excellent in select cities (Jerusalem, Haifa) — short waits if well-established in your area.
EN/FR doctorsStandard appShort waitsLimited network
Leumit
The smallest — more personal service and very fast appointments, limited network outside major cities.
EN/FR doctorsStandard appShort waitsLimited network
New Oleh privileges
Free first 6 months (up to 12)
For the first 6 months after Aliyah, your health contribution (via Bituach Leumi) is fully covered. Under certain conditions (no income), this exemption can be extended up to 12 months.
Immediate coverage
No waiting period: you're covered from day 1. Register within 90 days of Aliyah.
Freedom of choice
Choose your Koupa freely. You can switch twice a year (January and July).
Mashlim
Strongly recommended: supplementary insurance covers adult dental, optician, and treatments outside the basic basket.
How to register — step by step
- 1
Choose your Koupa
Compare Clalit, Maccabi, Meuhedet, Leumit based on your city, needs, and nearby clinics.
- 2
Within 90 days
Registration is mandatory within 90 days of Aliyah. After that, a surcharge may apply.
- 3
Documents needed
Teudat Oleh (or Teudat Zehut) + Israeli bank account number for direct debit.
- 4
Where to register
At the post office (Doar) with Bituach Leumi forms, at a Koupa branch, or online on the Koupa's website.
- 5
Your Kartis
You'll receive a membership card (Kartis) by mail. In the meantime, your ID number is enough at the pharmacy or doctor.
Bituach Leumi contributions
First 6 months: full exemption from health contributions for all new Olim. Under no-income conditions, up to 12 months.
Health coverage in Israel goes through Bituach Leumi (National Insurance), which collects your health contribution on behalf of your Koupa.
Employee (Sachir)
Contribution deducted automatically from your payslip. Nothing to do — your employer handles the payment.
Self-employed (Atzmit)
You pay directly to Bituach Leumi on a quarterly basis based on declared income. Register with Bituach Leumi as soon as you start.
No income
After the exemption period, minimum contribution of around 116 ILS/month (2025). Can be reduced on request with supporting documents.
Mashlim: your Koupa supplement
Each Koupat Holim offers supplementary plans called "Mashlim" (Bronze, Silver, Gold depending on the fund). Not mandatory but strongly advised for Olim.
Adult dental
Conservative care, prosthetics, implants partially reimbursed.
Optician
Contribution toward glasses, contact lenses, and eye exams.
Alternative medicine
Osteopathy, acupuncture, chiropractic depending on the fund.
Private hospitalization
Private room and choice of surgeon in private hospitals.
Average cost: 50–150 ILS/month depending on plan and fund. Subscribe directly through your Koupa.
Pitfalls to avoid
Missing the 90-day deadline
Registration with a Koupat Holim is mandatory within 90 days of Aliyah. After that, a surcharge may apply for uncovered months.
ER without a Hafnaya
An ER visit (Miyoun) without a referral letter costs about 900–1,000 ILS if you're not admitted. Go to your Koupa or a Moked first.
Skipping Mashlim from the start
Without Mashlim, adult dental care, optician, and some specialist visits are fully out of pocket. Subscribe when joining your Koupa.
Missing the 6-month exemption
For the first 6 months after Aliyah, your Bituach Leumi health contribution is waived. Some Olim pay without knowing — check your status with Bituach Leumi.
Ignoring the mobile app
In Israel, nearly all appointments and prescriptions are through your Koupa's app. Without it, you'll wait on hold for what takes 3 taps on your phone.
Changing Koupa at the wrong time
You can only switch Koupa twice a year (January and July). Plan ahead if you're unhappy before those windows open.
Children & maternity
Tipat Chalav
Free pediatric clinic for children 0–6 years: vaccinations, checkups, nutrition advice. Run by municipality or Koupa.
Mandatory vaccines
Israel's free mandatory vaccination schedule. Tracked by Tipat Chalav or your Koupa.
Children's dental
100% free dental care up to age 18 (defined list of procedures under health law).
Pregnancy follow-up
Consultations, ultrasounds, and pregnancy blood tests fully covered by the Koupa.
Childbirth
Covered by the Koupa at the hospital of your choice. You are free to choose the maternity ward.
Single mothers / special rights
Specific entitlements exist for single mothers and high-risk pregnancies. Ask your Koupa.
Pharmacy & medications
Hishtatfut (co-payment)
For each medication in the basket, you pay a fixed co-pay (~20–35 ILS). The rest is covered by your Koupa.
Tofes 17
Coverage form for expensive medications or special treatments. Ask your doctor; accepted at pharmacies.
Digital prescription
Prescriptions are sent electronically to the pharmacy. Just show your Kartis or ID number.
Generic drugs
Generics are reimbursed at the same level as branded drugs and are usually offered first.
Mental health (Bri'out Hanefesh)
Since 2015, mental health has been included in the mandatory health basket. All Koupot must cover psychologist and psychiatrist appointments.
Psychologist
Sessions partially covered through your Koupa. A GP referral (Hafnaya) may be required.
Psychiatrist
Consultations and psychiatric medication covered under the health basket.
English-speaking
English-speaking professionals exist. Ask your Koupa for a list, or contact Ella via WhatsApp.
Mobile health
In Israel, 90% of procedures are done via the app:
Appointments
Book in 3 clicks on the app.
Prescriptions
Digital and sent to the pharmacy.
Lab results
Results on your phone.
Video doctor
24/7 video consultation.
Mobility
You can change Koupa twice a year (January and July). If wait times are too long in your city, don't hesitate.
Emergency: where to go?
2
Level 2: MOKED (Evenings & Weekend)
Urgent care centers (Terem or your Koupa centers). Usually faster and cheaper than hospital ER.
3
Level 3: MIYOUN (Hospital)
Only for life-threatening emergencies or with a doctor/Moked referral letter (Hafnaya).
Key advice: call your Koupa 24/7 call center before going out, to get proper guidance and avoid unnecessary costs.
Call your Koupa center (Clalit: *2700, Maccabi: *3555, Meuhedet: *3833, Leumit: 507).
Emergency numbers & Hospitalization & Childbirth
Miyoun fee warning (Hospital ER)
Going to hospital ER without a doctor referral (Hafnaya) can cost around 900-1000 ILS if you are not hospitalized, except specific cases (fracture, childbirth, etc.).
Emergency numbers
101
Mada
Ambulance / Magen David Adom
1221
Ichoud Hatsala
Local first responders - very fast
Hospitalization & Childbirth
Hospitalization is covered at 100% by your Koupa under the national health basket.
For expecting mothers: hospital choice for childbirth is fully free.
Emergency: where to go?
1
Level 1: Koupa (Daytime)
For day-to-day care and mild urgent issues. Ask for the Toren (on-call doctor) if your regular doctor is unavailable.
2
Level 2: MOKED (Evenings & Weekend)
Urgent care centers (Terem or your Koupa centers). Usually faster and cheaper than hospital ER.
3
Level 3: MIYOUN (Hospital)
Only for life-threatening emergencies or with a doctor/Moked referral letter (Hafnaya).
Key advice: call your Koupa 24/7 call center before going out, to get proper guidance and avoid unnecessary costs.
Call your Koupa center (Clalit: *2700, Maccabi: *3555, Meuhedet: *3833, Leumit: 507).
Miyoun fee warning (Hospital ER)
Going to hospital ER without a doctor referral (Hafnaya) can cost around 900-1000 ILS if you are not hospitalized, except specific cases (fracture, childbirth, etc.).
Emergency numbers
101
Mada
Ambulance / Magen David Adom
1221
Ichoud Hatsala
Local first responders - very fast
Hospitalization & Childbirth
Hospitalization is covered at 100% by your Koupa under the national health basket.
For expecting mothers: hospital choice for childbirth is fully free.
Medical glossary
Tofes 17
Medication coverage form
Hafnaya
Specialist referral letter
Bedikat Dam
Blood test
Mirshom
Prescription (digital)
Toren
On-call doctor
Miyoun
Hospital ER
Ambulance
Ambulance (Mada 101)
Ashpouz
Hospitalization
Moked
After-hours urgent care
Rofé Mishpacha
GP / family doctor
Beit Merkacha
Pharmacy
Zimmun Torim
Medical appointment
Kartis
Koupa membership card
Mashlim
Supplementary health plan
Hishtatfut
Co-payment
Tipat Chalav
Pediatric clinic (0–6)
Sachir
Employee
Atzmit
Self-employed
Bri'out Hanefesh
Mental health
Terem
Minor emergency clinic
Locate your Koupat Holim
Find Maccabi, Clalit, Meuhedet and Leumit branches on the Olim map.