Is a kupat holim the same as an HMO?

Not exactly. A kupat holim is a statutory health fund that delivers Israel's national basket, while a US HMO is a type of private insurance plan.

Is a hafnaya the same as Form 17?

No. A hafnaya is the clinical referral or order. Form 17 is the health fund's commitment to pay a named outside provider for a specified service, so a patient may need both.

What does tor mean at an Israeli clinic?

Tor usually means a booked appointment in healthcare. The same word can mean your turn or a queue, and a tor telefoni is a phone appointment.

Is moked refua dehufa the same as miyon?

No. Moked refua dehufa is community urgent care. Miyon or malrad is the hospital emergency department.

Israeli Healthcare Guide: Hebrew Terms in English

Coverage and Community Care

On the label or sign

קופה מבטחת: covering health fund
מספר מבוטח: insured member number

תושב/ת; מבוטח/תResident and insured member

toshav/toshevet; mevutah/mevutahat

US English

Resident; insured member or beneficiary

UK English

Resident; patient entitled to NHS care

What it is

Israeli residency is the basis for national health insurance. Every resident must register with one health fund. New immigrants can register immediately, while foreign students and tourists generally need another form of insurance.

The difference

Citizenship, a passport, or being physically present does not by itself prove current public coverage. קופה מבטחת means the fund that covers you, and מספר מבוטח is your member number.

Common mistake

Check your residence and registration status instead of assuming a student visa, tourist stay, or Israeli passport proves health fund coverage.

On the label or sign

בסל: in the health basket
לא בסל: outside the health basket
חוק ביטוח בריאות ממלכתי: National Health Insurance Law

ביטוח בריאות ממלכתי; סל שירותי הבריאות; סל הבריאותNational insurance and basket

bituah briut mamlakhti; sal sherutei ha-briut; sal ha-briut

US English

Statutory health insurance and covered benefits

UK English

NHS entitlement and NHS-funded services

What it is

ביטוח בריאות ממלכתי is the statutory scheme that entitles residents to covered services. סל הבריאות is the national basket of covered services, tests, treatments, medicines, and equipment.

The difference

The national scheme is not an optional policy bought from a fund. A service being בסל does not always mean that the service is free or available from any provider without a referral, approval, or copayment.

Common mistake

Read the service rules instead of treating בסל as a promise of free care from any provider.

On the label or sign

רישום: registration
שיוך: fund assignment
ביקור ללא כרטיס: visit without a card

קופת חולים; קופה; קופות חולים; חבר/ת קופה; כרטיס חברHealth fund and membership

kupat holim; kupa; kupot holim; haver/haverat kupa; kartis haver

US English

Health fund; roughly HMO-like

UK English

No exact UK name

What it is

A kupat holim is one of four statutory health funds that delivers the national basket. Membership is your formal assignment to a fund. A member card or digital substitute identifies you for fund services and prescriptions.

The difference

A health fund is not simply a US private insurer or the UK NHS. In conversation, הקופה usually means your health fund, not a cashier.

Common mistake

Use the fund card or its temporary digital substitute instead of assuming an Israeli ID card always completes the fund identification process.

On the label or sign

ביטוח משלים: health fund supplementary plan
ביטוח פרטי: private insurance

שב״ן; שירותי בריאות נוספים; ביטוח משלים; ביטוח בריאות פרטיSupplementary and private cover

shaban; sherutei briut nosafim; bituah mashlim; bituah briut prati

US English

Supplemental plan; private health insurance

UK English

Supplementary cover; private health insurance

What it is

שב״ן or ביטוח משלים is a voluntary paid health fund program above the statutory basket. ביטוח בריאות פרטי is a separate commercial policy from an insurance company.

The difference

A fund must accept any member into its supplementary program regardless of age or medical condition, though benefits can have waiting periods and copayments. Private cover depends on the policy and underwriting rules. Basic basket entitlement does not depend on buying either one.

Common mistake

Do not call a fund supplementary plan private insurance or assume basic care depends on buying extra cover.

On the label or sign

מרפאה: clinic
סניף: branch
בית חולים: hospital

מרפאה; סניף; מרכז רפואיClinic and branch

marpea; snif; merkaz refui

US English

Clinic; branch; medical center

UK English

Clinic or GP surgery; branch; health centre

What it is

מרפאה is a clinic, and סניף is a local branch. A health fund may call a community clinic a מרכז רפואי.

The difference

מרכז רפואי does not automatically mean a hospital. A hospital sign also says בית חולים.

Common mistake

Check for בית חולים, מרפאה, and the fund name before going to a medical center expecting a hospital emergency department.

On the label or sign

משפחה: family medicine
ילדים: pediatrics

רופא/ת משפחה; רופא/ת ילדיםFamily doctor and pediatrician

rofe/rofat mishpaha; rofe/rofat yeladim

US English

Family or primary care physician; pediatrician

UK English

GP; paediatrician

What it is

These community doctors provide and coordinate ongoing first contact care. Family doctors commonly issue referrals, prescriptions, and certificates.

The difference

The Israeli health fund model is not identical to a UK GP practice. Some specialties and services can be booked directly, so every specialist visit does not necessarily begin with a family doctor.

Common mistake

Check the fund rule for the specialty instead of assuming every specialist needs a family doctor referral.

On the label or sign

רפואה מקצועית: specialist medicine
רופא מומחה: specialist physician

רופא/ה מקצועי/ת; רופא/ה מומחה/ית; רופא/ה יועץ/תSpecialist or consultant

rofe miktsoi; rofe mumhe; rofe yoetz

US English

Specialist or consultant physician

UK English

Specialist or consultant

What it is

In fund language, רופא מקצועי often means a doctor in a specialty. רופא מומחה formally means a specialist physician. רופא יועץ means a consulting doctor.

The difference

מקצועי does not merely mean professional, and יועץ is not necessarily a non-treating adviser. Referral requirements vary by fund and specialty.

Common mistake

Search under רפואה מקצועית and check the referral rule for the specialty before booking.

Appointments and Paperwork

On the label or sign

זימון תור: book an appointment
אין תורים פנויים: no appointments available
רשימת המתנה: waiting list

תור; זימון תורים; תור פנוי; רשימת המתנה; ביקור טלפוני; ביקור דיגיטליAppointment and waiting list

tor; zimun torim; tor panui; reshimat hamtana; bikur telefoni; bikur digitali

US English

Appointment; available slot; waiting list

UK English

Appointment; available slot; waiting list

What it is

A tor is a booked clinical slot and may be in person, by phone, or by video. תור פנוי is an available slot. רשימת המתנה is a waiting list for a cancellation or earlier appointment.

The difference

Tor can also mean your turn or a queue, so context controls the translation. A תור טלפוני is a phone appointment, not a call back queue.

Common mistake

Keep the later confirmed appointment when joining a waiting list, and check whether the booked visit is in person, by phone, or by video.

On the label or sign

הפניות: referrals
תוקף: validity

הפניהReferral or medical order

hafnaya

US English

Referral or medical order

UK English

Referral letter or request

What it is

A hafnaya is a clinical document directing you to a specialist, test, treatment, urgent care center, or emergency department. The document gives the medical reason and instructions.

The difference

A referral does not by itself promise that the fund will pay an outside hospital or institute. Some visits also require a separate Form 17 payment commitment.

Common mistake

Check whether the outside provider also needs a Form 17 before arriving with only a referral.

On the label or sign

בדיקות מעבדה: laboratory tests
דימות: imaging
קוד בדיקה: test code

בדיקה; בדיקות מעבדה; מכון; דימותTests and imaging

bedika; bdikot maabada; makhon; dimuy

US English

Exam or test; lab tests; diagnostic center; imaging

UK English

Exam or test; lab tests; diagnostic centre; imaging

What it is

בדיקה can mean a physical examination, laboratory test, scan, or another diagnostic test. מכון is a specialized diagnostic or treatment unit. דימות means imaging.

The difference

The required referral, approval, and provider instructions depend on the exact test. בדיקה does not always mean a blood test.

Common mistake

Confirm the exact test, location, instructions, and paperwork instead of assuming every laboratory accepts every referral.

On the label or sign

זימון מבית חולים: hospital appointment invitation
קוד טיפול: treatment code
קוד שירות: service code

הזמנה; זימון מבית חולים; קוד שירות; קוד טיפול; קוד בדיקהHospital invitation and code

hazmana; zimun mi-bet holim; kod sherut; kod tipul; kod bedika

US English

Hospital appointment letter and service code

UK English

Hospital appointment letter and service code

What it is

A hospital invitation is the provider's booking document. A service, treatment, or test code identifies the exact administrative service and may be needed when requesting Form 17.

The difference

The invitation is separate from the doctor's referral and the fund's payment commitment. A generic specialty name may not replace the specific service code.

Common mistake

Use the provider name, appointment date, department, and exact code when asking the fund for payment authorization.

On the label or sign

ממתין לאישור: waiting for approval
אושר: approved
נדחה: denied

אישור מקדים; אישור מנהליPrior approval

ishur mukdam; ishur minhali

US English

Prior authorization or prior approval

UK English

Prior authorization or prior approval

What it is

Prior approval is fund approval required before certain imaging, procedures, catheterizations, surgeries, or medicines.

The difference

A doctor's recommendation does not itself complete the fund approval process. Prior approval is related to coverage but is not always the same document as Form 17.

Common mistake

Wait for an approved status instead of assuming the doctor's recommendation completed the administrative process.

On the label or sign

התחייבויות: payment commitments
טופס 17: Form 17
תוקף: validity

התחייבות; טופס התחייבות; טופס 17Form 17 payment commitment

hitchayvut; tofes hitchayvut; tofes shva esre

US English

Payment guarantee or prior payment authorization

UK English

Funding authorization or payment undertaking

What it is

Form 17 is the health fund's commitment to pay an outside provider for a specified covered service. The form is tied to a provider, service, and validity period and may carry a copayment.

The difference

Form 17 is not another word for referral. A patient may need the clinical referral, the provider's appointment invitation, and Form 17.

Common mistake

Confirm that the correct provider and service appear on the approved Form 17 and that the provider received or accepts the document.

On the label or sign

נותן שירות שבהסדר: contracted service provider
רשימת ספקים: provider list

בהסדר; ספק בהסדר; הסדרי בחירהContracted provider

be-hesder; sapak be-hesder; hesderei behira

US English

In-network or contracted provider

UK English

Commissioned or contracted provider

What it is

A ספק בהסדר has an arrangement with the fund for the service. הסדרי בחירה are the rules for choosing among hospitals, institutes, or clinicians.

The difference

Available choices depend on the service, residence, fund, and statutory exceptions. A referral naming one hospital does not always require the fund to authorize that hospital.

Common mistake

Check the live provider list for your fund, service, and home address before booking outside the fund.

On the label or sign

מרפאות חוץ: outpatient clinics
שירות אמבולטורי: outpatient service

מרפאת חוץ; שירות אמבולטוריHospital outpatient clinic

mirpaat hutz; sherut ambulatori

US English

Hospital outpatient clinic or care

UK English

Hospital outpatient clinic or care

What it is

מרפאת חוץ is planned hospital or external clinic care that does not itself mean inpatient admission. A referral and Form 17 are commonly required for a fund financed hospital outpatient visit.

The difference

A hospital appointment letter proves the booking, not clinical authorization or fund payment approval.

Common mistake

Check for both the referral and Form 17 instead of arriving with only the outpatient appointment letter.

On the label or sign

השתתפות עצמית: copayment or cost sharing
אגרה: fee
רבעון: calendar quarter

השתתפות עצמית; אגרה; רבעוןCopayment, fee and quarter

hishtatfut atzmit; agra; rivon

US English

Copayment or fee; administrative quarter

UK English

Patient charge or fee; administrative quarter

What it is

השתתפות עצמית is the patient's regulated share of a covered service. אגרה is a fee. רבעון is a calendar quarter used in some doctor choice and charging rules.

The difference

Covered does not always mean no charge. A quarterly charge or doctor choice rule does not apply in the same way to every service.

Common mistake

Check the current service terms instead of importing US deductible assumptions or treating every quarterly rule as identical.

Urgent and Hospital Care

On the label or sign

מוקד אחיות: nurse advice line
מוקד שירות: member service center

מוקד שירות; מוקד אחיות; מוקד ייעוץService or advice line

moked sherut; moked ahayot; moked yiutz

US English

Member services or nurse advice line

UK English

Member services or nurse advice line

What it is

Here, moked means a telephone or digital contact center. A moked may provide administrative help, nurse triage, or clinician advice and may direct a patient to community care, urgent care, or the emergency department.

The difference

A moked followed by a phone number is not necessarily a walk-in clinic. Telephone advice is not automatically a written emergency department referral.

Common mistake

Ask whether the moked is a contact line or a physical clinic and whether any recommendation includes a written referral.

On the label or sign

רפואה דחופה: urgent care
מר״מ: community urgent care center
טרם: TEREM urgent care network

מוקד רפואה דחופה; מוקד לרפואה דחופה; מר״מ; טרםCommunity urgent care

moked refua dehufa; maram; Terem

US English

Urgent care center

UK English

Urgent treatment centre

What it is

A מוקד רפואה דחופה is a community urgent care clinic for problems needing prompt care, often when ordinary fund clinics are closed. טרם is the name of one contracted urgent care network, not the generic Hebrew term.

The difference

Community urgent care is not a hospital emergency department. Services, hours, referral rules, and copayments vary by location and fund arrangement.

Common mistake

Check the live location, hours, fund arrangement, and available services before traveling to an urgent care center.

On the label or sign

מיון: emergency department
מלר״ד: emergency medicine department

חֲדַר מִיּוּן; מיון; מלר״ד; מחלקה לרפואה דחופהEmergency department

hadar miyun; miyun; malrad; mahlaka le-refua dehufa

US English

Emergency department or ER

UK English

A&E or emergency department

What it is

Miyon is the common name for a hospital emergency department. מלר״ד is the formal acronym used by hospitals and government.

The difference

Miyon is distinct from community urgent care. Miyon does not mean only triage, because triage is one stage inside the emergency department.

Common mistake

Follow signs for מיון, חדר מיון, or מלר״ד when you need the hospital emergency department.

On the label or sign

אחות ממיינת: triage nurse

טריאז׳; אחות ממיינתTriage

triyazh; ahot memayenet

US English

Triage; triage nurse

UK English

Triage; triage nurse

What it is

Triage is the initial assessment and prioritization stage inside an emergency department. Patients are treated according to clinical urgency rather than simply arrival order.

The difference

Triage is not the name of the whole emergency department. Arrival by ambulance does not by itself determine priority.

Common mistake

Use miyon for the emergency department and triyazh only for its initial prioritization stage.

On the label or sign

הפניה למיון: referral to the emergency department
אגרת מיון: emergency department fee
עלות הטיפול: treatment charge

הפניה למיון; מכתב רפואי למיון; אגרת מיון; עלות טיפול במיוןER referral and charges

hafnaya le-miyun; mikhtav refui le-miyun; agrat miyun; alut tipul ba-miyun

US English

ER referral; facility fee and treatment charge

UK English

Emergency referral; no close charge equivalent

What it is

A referral to miyon is a clinician's written direction to attend the emergency department. Emergency department charging can include an ER fee and a separate treatment charge.

The difference

Exemption depends on the reason, a valid referral or commitment, admission, timing, and possible later medical justification. Emergency department care is not always free and does not always have one flat fee.

Common mistake

Bring the written referral, then keep the discharge summary and receipt for any later payment review or reimbursement request.

On the label or sign

מד״א: Magen David Adom
101: medical emergency dispatch

מד״א; מגן דוד אדום; אמבולנס; 101Ambulance and emergency dispatch

Mada; Magen David Adom; ambulans

US English

EMS and ambulance service; 911 equivalent

UK English

Ambulance service; 999 or 112 equivalent

What it is

Magen David Adom is Israel's national emergency medical organization. The number 101 reaches emergency medical dispatch.

The difference

Ambulance transport is billed separately from emergency department care. Reimbursement depends on the vehicle, admission, and circumstances. An ambulance does not guarantee a free ride, a free ER visit, or faster triage.

Common mistake

Keep the ambulance transport report and payment demand because the fund may request them for reimbursement.

On the label or sign

קבלה לאשפוז: inpatient admission
סיכום ביקור במיון: emergency visit summary
מכתב שחרור: discharge letter

אשפוז; קבלה לאשפוז; מחלקה; שחרור; סיכום ביקור; סיכום מחלה; מכתב שחרורHospital admission and discharge

ishpuz; kabala le-ishpuz; mahlaka; shihrur; sikum bikur; sikum mahala; mikhtav shihrur

US English

Inpatient admission; ward; discharge summary

UK English

Inpatient admission; ward; discharge letter

What it is

Ishpuz means admission as an inpatient, and mahlaka is a ward or department. Discharge documents record the visit, findings, treatment, and follow up instructions.

The difference

A hospital outpatient visit does not itself mean inpatient admission. An emergency observation also should not be described as confirmed admission without checking the status.

Common mistake

Keep the emergency or inpatient discharge document because later care, payment authorization, or reimbursement may require the record.

Medicines, Records and Complaints

On the label or sign

תרופות ומרשמים: medicines and prescriptions
חידוש מרשם: prescription renewal
בהסדר עם: contracted with

מרשם; מרשם דיגיטלי; חידוש מרשם; בית מרקחת; בית מרקחת שבהסדרPrescription and pharmacy

mirsham; mirsham digitali; hidush mirsham; bet mirkahat; bet mirkahat she-be-hesder

US English

Prescription; participating pharmacy

UK English

Prescription; participating pharmacy or chemist

What it is

A mirsham is a clinician's medication order. A digital prescription enters the fund and pharmacy system and often needs no paper printout. A בית מרקחת שבהסדר has a dispensing and payment arrangement with the fund.

The difference

A visible prescription does not prove that a medicine is approved, covered, or in stock. A pharmacy may be able to read an electronic prescription without offering the fund's subsidized price or workflow.

Common mistake

Check medicine approval and use a fund owned or contracted pharmacy when you need the fund arrangement.

On the label or sign

תיק רפואי: medical record
תוצאות בדיקות: test results
נציבות קבילות הציבור: public complaints commissioner

תיק רפואי; תוצאות בדיקות; זכאות; החזר; קבילה; נציבות קבילות הציבורRecords, refunds and appeals

tik refui; totsaot bdikot; zakaut; hehzer; kvila; netzivut kvilot ha-tzibur

US English

Medical record; reimbursement; formal grievance

UK English

Health record; reimbursement; formal complaint

What it is

The health fund record includes visits, referrals, prescriptions, and available results. זכאות means entitlement, החזר means reimbursement after payment, and קבילה is a formal complaint about a coverage decision.

The difference

Outside provider records may need to be uploaded or sent to the fund. The National Health Insurance complaints commissioner handles disputes about basket and supplementary plan services, while other complaints may belong with another body.

Common mistake

Keep referrals, clinical records, correspondence, receipts, and emergency discharge papers for a reimbursement request or formal complaint.

You need	Look for	Keep in mind
Book an appointment	זימון תורzimun tor	Check whether the visit is in person, by phone, or by video.
Join the waiting list	רשימת המתנהreshimat hamtana	Keep the confirmed later appointment.
Get a clinical referral	הפניהhafnaya	A referral does not guarantee outside provider payment.
Show the hospital booking	זימון מבית חוליםzimun mi-bet holim	Use the service code and scheduled department.
Get fund payment approval	טופס 17 / התחייבותtofes shva esre / hitchayvut	Check the provider, service, and validity.
Find community urgent care	מוקד רפואה דחופהmoked refua dehufa	Check live hours and the fund arrangement.
Find the hospital emergency department	מיון / מלר״דmiyun / malrad	A hospital emergency department differs from community urgent care.
Request reimbursement	החזרhehzer	Keep the receipt and supporting medical documents.

Mix-Ups to Avoid

Coverage and Community Care

תושב/ת; מבוטח/תResident and insured member

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

ביטוח בריאות ממלכתי; סל שירותי הבריאות; סל הבריאותNational insurance and basket

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

קופת חולים; קופה; קופות חולים; חבר/ת קופה; כרטיס חברHealth fund and membership

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

שב״ן; שירותי בריאות נוספים; ביטוח משלים; ביטוח בריאות פרטיSupplementary and private cover

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

מרפאה; סניף; מרכז רפואיClinic and branch

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

רופא/ת משפחה; רופא/ת ילדיםFamily doctor and pediatrician

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

רופא/ה מקצועי/ת; רופא/ה מומחה/ית; רופא/ה יועץ/תSpecialist or consultant

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

Appointments and Paperwork

תור; זימון תורים; תור פנוי; רשימת המתנה; ביקור טלפוני; ביקור דיגיטליAppointment and waiting list

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

הפניהReferral or medical order

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

בדיקה; בדיקות מעבדה; מכון; דימותTests and imaging

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

הזמנה; זימון מבית חולים; קוד שירות; קוד טיפול; קוד בדיקהHospital invitation and code

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

אישור מקדים; אישור מנהליPrior approval

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

התחייבות; טופס התחייבות; טופס 17Form 17 payment commitment

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

בהסדר; ספק בהסדר; הסדרי בחירהContracted provider

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

מרפאת חוץ; שירות אמבולטוריHospital outpatient clinic

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

השתתפות עצמית; אגרה; רבעוןCopayment, fee and quarter

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

Urgent and Hospital Care

מוקד שירות; מוקד אחיות; מוקד ייעוץService or advice line

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

מוקד רפואה דחופה; מוקד לרפואה דחופה; מר״מ; טרםCommunity urgent care

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

חֲדַר מִיּוּן; מיון; מלר״ד; מחלקה לרפואה דחופהEmergency department

What it is

The difference

Common mistake