Through Your Kupat Cholim:
Each kupat cholim has an online directory where you can search for family doctors by location, gender, and language spoken. After registering with a health fund:
- Visit their website or download their app
- Search by filters: Location, language (English), gender, specialty
- Contact the clinic directly to register with a specific doctor
- Schedule an initial appointment to meet your assigned doctor
You’re entitled to your choice of doctors within your kupat cholim - if you don’t “click” with a family doctor, you can ask for another one.
What to Bring to Your First Visit:
Bring your teudat zehut (Israeli ID), your kupat cholim membership card, and any relevant medical records from your previous country.
Specialist Referrals & Appointments
The Referral System:
In Israel, most specialist visits require a referral from your family doctor, unless it’s an emergency. Your family doctor acts as a gatekeeper to specialist care.
Key Terms:
- Hafnaya (הפנייה): A referral to a specialist or other medical services, often necessary for services both in and outside the kupah
- Form 17/Hitchayvut (התחייבות): A payment voucher from the kupah, necessary for services outside the kupah that you expect your kupah to cover
How to Get Specialist Care:
- See your family doctor first for most non-emergency issues
- Get a referral (hafnaya) if specialist care is needed
- Book specialist appointment through:
- Online booking systems
- Phone calls to specialist clinics
- Your kupat cholim’s call center
Digital Booking & Services
Online Appointment Systems:
All four kupot cholim offer:
- Mobile apps for appointment booking
- Online portals for managing care
- Digital services for prescriptions, test results, and forms
The online tools from each kupat cholim are only available via their Hebrew websites or apps, but many have English customer service support.
Phone Support:
- Clalit: *2700 or 1-222-2700
- Maccabi: *3555 or 1-700-505-353
- Meuhedet: *3833 or 1-222-3833
- Leumit: *507 or 1-700-507-507
Finding English-Speaking Doctors
Best Options for English Speakers:
Many people who speak English register with Meuhedet or Maccabi, as these providers are known for having more English-speaking staff and patients.
Language Support:
- Recent development: Health Ministry has directed all Kupot Cholim to accept communications from patients to doctors in foreign languages Q&A: Securing Form 17 for Foreign Caregivers in Israel
- Many doctors in Israel speak English, but it’s always a good idea to confirm this before making an appointment
- Filter searches in online directories by “English” language preference
Private Healthcare Options
When to Consider Private Care:
- Faster access (no waiting times)
- More choice in specialists
- No referral requirements
- For tourists/visitors not covered by kupat cholim
Private Doctor Costs:
- Family doctor visit: 250 NIS - 1,000 NIS
- Private specialist: 800 NIS - 2,000+ NIS
Finding Private Doctors:
You can ask locals for recommendations, google the type of doctor you are looking for, or crowdsource on Facebook groups like “Navigate the Israeli Healthcare System”.
Practical Tips for Finding Good Doctors
Research Methods:
- Ask for recommendations - In Israel, asking friends and family for a recommendation to a doctor is common
- Use online directories within your kupat cholim
- Join Facebook groups for community recommendations
- Check clinic locations and convenience factors
- Use “protexia” (connections) - If you have a family member or friend who is, or works with, a doctor, ask them for help. This is common practice in Israel!
What to Look For:
- Language capabilities (Hebrew/English/other)
- Clinic location and accessibility
- Specialization match for your needs
- Availability and scheduling flexibility
- Reviews and recommendations from other patients
Getting Help:
If you need anything the Kupat Cholim offers and you want to know how to get it, ask the branch secretary at your local clinic. They can provide guidance on:
- Finding appropriate specialists
- Booking procedures
- Required forms and referrals
- Coverage and co-payment information
Emergency and Urgent Care
When You Don’t Need a Referral:
- Emergency situations - go directly to hospital emergency rooms
- Urgent care centers - many accept all kupot cholim
- Terem urgent care - accepts all health funds nationwide
- Some specialists may be directly bookable depending on your supplementary insurance
Second Opinions:
You have the right to a second opinion about your care! If you have only the basic plan, you may have to pay out of pocket, but the first physician must assist you in finding someone to consult with.
Bottom Line: Start with your family doctor for most health issues, use your kupat cholim’s digital tools and directories to find English-speaking providers, and don’t hesitate to ask for help navigating the system. The referral system exists to coordinate care, but you have choices within that framework.