How do I get medical care in English or French in Israel?

In Israel, health insurance runs through a fund (Kupat Holim): Clalit, Maccabi, Meuhedet or Leumit. To be followed in English or French, choose a doctor who consults in your language, such as Dr Dylan Mergui, who practices within Clalit in Tel Aviv and knows both Western medicine and the Israeli system.

What is a Kupat Holim in Israel?

A Kupat Holim ("sick fund") is one of Israel's public health insurance organizations. There are four: Clalit, Maccabi, Meuhedet and Leumit. Membership is mandatory and gives access to a family doctor, specialists, lab tests, medications and affiliated hospitals.

How do I register with a health fund after making Aliyah?

New immigrants (olim hadashim) are covered by Bituah Leumi from the moment they arrive. Registration with a Kupat Holim is often done at the airport or at a post office (Doar). Then keep your fund card with you, physical or in the mobile app.

What number should I call for a medical emergency in Israel?

Dial 101 for an ambulance (Magen David Adom, Israel's national emergency medical service). Dial 100 for the police and 102 for the fire brigade. Operators usually speak English.

Are aesthetic treatments reimbursed by the Kupat Holim?

No. Aesthetic medicine and elective laser treatments are not part of the reimbursed basket of care: they fall under private care, paid by the patient. Always ask whether a procedure is covered or private.

How do you say "I need a doctor" in Hebrew?

You say "Ani tsarikh rofé" (אני צריך רופא) if you are a man, "Ani tsrikha rofé" (אני צריכה רופא) if you are a woman. In an emergency, "Tikre'ou le-amboulans!" (תקראו לאמבולנס) means "Call an ambulance".

Dr Dylan Mergui's Clalit medical practice in Tel Aviv

For newcomers to Israel

Healthcare guide for newcomers to Israel

Understand the system, make yourself understood anywhere

Kupot Holim, emergencies, reimbursements: the essentials explained in plain English. Plus an English-Hebrew medical phrasebook to show at the pharmacy or the emergency room.

Useful numbers in an emergency

101
Ambulance (Magen David Adom)
Medical emergencies and Israel's national ambulance service. Operators usually speak English.
100
Police
National police, in case of danger or assault.
102
Fire brigade
Fires and rescue operations.
1221
United Hatzalah
Rapid-response volunteer first responders, alongside 101. Free of charge.

See all useful emergency numbers (hospitals, Clalit, poison control...) →

Understanding the system

The Kupot Holim: the heart of the system

In Israel, public health insurance runs through a "Kupat Holim" (קופת חולים, literally "sick fund"). There are four of them: Clalit, Maccabi, Meuhedet and Leumit. Joining one of them is mandatory and funded by a contribution deducted from your salary (Bituah Leumi).

Every insured person is free to choose their fund and can switch later. The fund gives you access to a family doctor, specialists, lab tests, medications and affiliated hospitals.

Dr Mergui practices within the Clalit network (Kupat Holim) at the Frishman clinic.
Remember to request your family doctor ("rofé mishpaha") as soon as you register.

Just made Aliyah?

New immigrants (olim hadashim) are covered from the moment they arrive. At the airport, the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration and Bituah Leumi (National Insurance) open your file. You then need to register with a Kupat Holim, often right at the airport or at a post office (Doar).

In the first few months, finding your way around the system can be confusing, especially before you master Hebrew. Having a doctor who consults in English or French and knows both Western medicine and the Israeli system saves you precious time.

Always keep your Kupat Holim card with you (physical or in the app).
The funds' apps (Clalit, Maccabi...) let you book appointments, view your results and order your prescriptions.

Appointments, prescriptions and reimbursements

Seeing your fund's family doctor is usually free or low-cost. Specialists sometimes require a referral ("hafnaya", הפניה) from your family doctor. Prescription medications ("mirsham", מרשם) are partially reimbursed.

Aesthetic treatments and some elective laser treatments are not part of the reimbursed basket of care: they are paid by the patient, in a private setting.

Always ask whether a procedure is covered by your fund or falls under private care.
Keep your receipts: some supplementary insurance plans ("bituah mashlim") reimburse part of the costs.

Medical phrasebook

Making yourself understood in Hebrew

The essential phrases, with pronunciation. Tap "Copy" to show the Hebrew directly on your screen at the pharmacy or the emergency room.

Emergencies

Call an ambulance!
תקראו לאמבולנס!
Tikre'ou le-amboulans !
This is an emergency.
זה מקרה חירום.
Zé mikré 'hiroum.
I need a doctor.
אני צריך רופא.
Ani tsarikh rofé. (woman: tsrikha)
Where is the nearest hospital?
איפה בית החולים הקרוב ביותר?
Eïfo beit ha-'holim ha-karov beyoter ?
Help me, please.
תעזרו לי, בבקשה.
Ta'azrou li, bevakasha.

Describing a symptom

It hurts here.
כואב לי כאן.
Ko'ev li kan.
I have a fever.
יש לי חום.
Yesh li 'hom.
I have a headache.
יש לי כאב ראש.
Yesh li ke'ev rosh.
I feel weak / tired.
אני מרגיש חלש.
Ani margish 'halash. (woman: margisha)
I am allergic to...
אני אלרגי ל…
Ani alergi le… (woman: alergit)
I take this medication.
אני לוקח את התרופה הזאת.
Ani loke'a'h et ha-troufa ha-zot.

At the doctor's office

I would like an appointment.
אני רוצה לקבוע תור.
Ani rotsé likbo'a tor.
Do you speak French or English?
אתה מדבר צרפתית או אנגלית?
Ata medaber tsarfatit o anglit ?
I don't speak Hebrew.
אני לא מדבר עברית.
Ani lo medaber ivrit.
Could you repeat that, slowly?
אפשר לחזור, לאט?
Efshar la'hzor, le'at ?
Which fund am I with? (Kupat Holim)
מה קופת החולים שלי?
Ma kupat ha-'holim sheli ?

At the pharmacy

Where is the pharmacy?
איפה בית המרקחת?
Eïfo beit ha-mirka'hat ?
I have a prescription.
יש לי מרשם.
Yesh li mirsham.
Do you have something for pain?
יש לכם תרופה נגד כאבים?
Yesh la'hem troufa neged ke'evim ?
Is this covered by my fund?
זה מכוסה על ידי קופת החולים?
Zé mekhousé al yedeï kupat ha-'holim ?

This guide is provided for information only and does not replace medical advice or the official information from your Kupat Holim.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions from newcomers to Israel

: A Kupat Holim ("sick fund") is one of Israel's public health insurance organizations. There are four: Clalit, Maccabi, Meuhedet and Leumit. Membership is mandatory and gives access to a family doctor, specialists, lab tests, medications and affiliated hospitals.
: New immigrants (olim hadashim) are covered by Bituah Leumi from the moment they arrive. Registration with a Kupat Holim is often done at the airport or at a post office (Doar). Then keep your fund card with you, physical or in the mobile app.
: Dial 101 for an ambulance (Magen David Adom, Israel's national emergency medical service). Dial 100 for the police and 102 for the fire brigade. Operators usually speak English.
: No. Aesthetic medicine and elective laser treatments are not part of the reimbursed basket of care: they fall under private care, paid by the patient. Always ask whether a procedure is covered or private.
: You say "Ani tsarikh rofé" (אני צריך רופא) if you are a man, "Ani tsrikha rofé" (אני צריכה רופא) if you are a woman. In an emergency, "Tikre'ou le-amboulans!" (תקראו לאמבולנס) means "Call an ambulance".