What is the waiting period for medical services in Israel?

State health insurance guarantees health services to every resident of Israel. However, there is a minimum waiting period to be considered a resident by the Bitouah Léoumi and benefit from medical services.

Who is not eligible for medical services?

You have been abroad for 18 consecutive months or more and have not paid health insurance premiums for a period of at least 12 months. Or you have ceased to be a resident of Israel for social security purposes. Upon your return, you will not be eligible for health services for a maximum period of 6 months.

Calculating the waiting period for Bituah Leumi residency

For each year of absence from the country, you will benefit from a one-month waiting period.The maximum waiting period is 6 months.

A year's absence is a period of 12 months during which you remained outside Israel's borders. for at least 183 dayseven if they are not consecutive.

For example, a person who was abroad during the period from October 2013 to October 2016, will have 3 months to wait, according to the following calculation:

• For the period from October 2013 to September 2014 - a one-month waiting period will be calculated.
• For the period from October 2014 to September 2015 - a one-month waiting period will be calculated.
• For the period from October 2015 to September 2016 - a one-month waiting period will be calculated.

Waiting period conditions

The month of waiting is a period of 25 consecutive days stay in Israel.

For example, a person for whom a 3-month waiting period has been calculated, in order to be eligible for health services, must stay in Israel for 3 periods of 25 consecutive days.

Each time this person spends 25 consecutive days in Israel, he or she will be deducted "one month" from the waiting period.

Important information: Note that you can buy back the waiting period for a special payment. and receive medical services immediately upon payment.

It's important to know that even during the waiting periodyou have to pay health insurance contributions.

Going abroad during the waiting period

If you left Israel before completing 25 consecutive days in Israel - these days will not be counted towards the waiting period.

For example, a person who stayed in Israel for 40 consecutive days, then went abroad, only completed one month of waiting.

If you left Israel for work

An employee sent to work abroad by an Israeli employer or a self-employed person registered as a self-employed in Israel who must go abroad for work or medical treatment will have his days outside Israel considered as a stay in Israel.

However, the waiting month will be calculated on the basis of a full calendar month (from the 1st of the month to the 30th or 31st of the month), not according to 25 days.

For example, a person for whom a period of  6 months of waitingThe 60-day period will be considered as a 2-month waiting period, during which she remained in Israel.

He will therefore have 3 months to wait.

So that waiting times for work or medical treatment abroad can be calculated differentlyyou must submit a form to the Bitouah Léoumi explaining the reason for departure:

1) An employee of an Israeli employer

Will fill an employee application form to calculate the waiting period (BL/ 109) through his employer.

2) An independent

Will fill an independent application form to calculate the waiting period (BL / 110).

In this form, he must declare his income as self-employed. (it is mandatory open a VAT file and income tax).

3) Departure for medical treatment

An application form must be submitted to calculate the waiting period due to medical treatment (BL / 111). With confirmation that the main reason for leaving Israel is due to medical treatment.

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Exemptions from the waiting period:

You will find below the list of people who will be exempted from the waiting period by the Bitouah Léoumi in order to become a resident.

• Ole Hadash under the Law of Return - He receives medical care services as soon as he arrives in Israel. No waiting period.
• Those who have been recognized as immigrant citizens by the Ministry of Integration.
• Any person recognized as a returning resident by the Ministry of Integration.
• Children under 18.
• A soldier released from regular or permanent service - within 24 months of the date of release.

Our firm can assist you and put together your file with the Bitouah Léoumi.

You can then receive medical care and benefit from medical coverage in Israel.