Health Insurance and Hadassah

These days, many people have medical insurances policies that cover Hadassah's Private Medicine Service (SHARAP), either partially or fully depending on the terms of the policy. The burgeoning of complementary health insurance coverage – both through the sick funds and private purveyors – is an outgrowth of the demand for medical procedures, treatments and medications not covered by Israel’s National Health Insurance Law, which only includes those determined annually by the Ministry of Health, “the health basket,” as it is called.

Different medical insurers offer different services; there are also significant variations in costs, waiting periods and approval criteria. Please read the following and check with your health insurer to determine your rights.

There are mainly three types of health coverage:

§         Basic health insurance as mandated by the National Health Law that guarantees coverage for every resident of the State of Israel through the sick funds (HMOs)

§         Supplementary health insurance provided by the various sick funds for additional fee

§         Private health insurance policies issued by insurance companies.

The following table demonstrates the principal differences between these types:

Table source: Bramli-Grinberg S., Gross R., "Complementary and Private Health Insurance" 1988, JOINT, Brokdale Institute, Jerusalem.

*Hadassah has reached agreements with most of the health insurers to simplify the individual access to its private medicine services. These agreements enable the public to enjoy full or partial coverage for the private medical service contracted. Before booking an appointment, it is recommended that you check the terms of your coverage with your health insurance provider.

Hadassah has also reached a special agreement with the Klal Insurance Company that allows patients in need to choose their own Hadassah physician without having.