Kupat cholim: joining an Israeli health fund

Registering, step by step

Based on Nefesh B’Nefesh and on Bituach Leumi, which handles registration with the health funds.

1. Start at the airport

   New olim can register with a kupat cholim at the Misrad HaKlita desk at Ben Gurion as soon as they arrive, and leave with a registration form.

2. If you didn’t register there

   Bituach Leumi says you can register at any Israel Post branch, or online on its website about three weeks after arrival. After 90 days from aliyah, registration is only done at your local Bituach Leumi branch.

3. Finish at the local branch

   Five to seven days after registering, take the registration form and your Teudat Oleh or Teudat Zakaut to a branch of the fund you chose. No appointment is needed. Each family member gets a magnetic membership card.

4. Decide on supplemental insurance

   Supplemental insurance (ביטוח משלים) is extra and not free. Nefesh B’Nefesh notes that olim who join within the first 90 days skip the waiting periods that otherwise apply.

5. Know who pays

   Bituach Leumi covers basic health insurance for new olim without income for the first six months. After that, or once you start working, you pay contributions. See Bituach Leumi.

The four health funds

By law, every fund must accept you whatever your age or medical history, and all of them give the same basic basket of services. They differ in clinics near you, supplemental plans and service. Phone numbers are the ones Nefesh B’Nefesh lists.

Membership words

For the words you need with the doctor and at the pharmacy (referrals, Form 17, prescriptions, copays), see Hebrew at the doctor. These are the words for joining one.

• רישום לקופת חוליםrishum le-kupat cholimRegistration with a health fund.
• טופס רישוםtofes rishumThe registration form you get at the airport or Misrad HaKlita.
• חבר / חברהchaver / chaveraMember, man / woman, as in חבר מכבי, a Maccabi member.
• כרטיס חברkartis chaverMembership card.
• ביטוח בריאות ממלכתיbituach briut mamlachtiNational health insurance, the system every fund works under.
• סל הבריאותsal ha-briutThe basic basket of health services every fund must give.
• דמי ביטוח בריאותdmei bituach briutHealth insurance contributions, collected by Bituach Leumi.
• תקופת אכשרהtkufat achsharaWaiting period before a supplemental benefit starts.
• ביטוח סיעודיbituach siudiLong-term care insurance, offered separately through the funds.
• מעבר קופהmaavar kupaSwitching to a different health fund.
• מרפאהmirpaaClinic. מרפאה ראשונית is your local primary clinic.
• מזכירותmazkirutThe clinic front desk and its staff.
• רופא ילדים / רופאת ילדיםrofe yeladim / rofat yeladimPediatrician, man / woman.
• מרפאת שינייםmirpeat shinayimDental clinic. Children under 18 get dental care through the fund’s clinics.
• ביטוח נסיעות לחו״לbituach nesiot le-chulTravel insurance, which the funds sell for an extra fee.

At the branch and on the phone

Male form first, female form second.

Frequently asked questions