Estimate the monthly and annual cost of private supplemental health insurance (Bituach Briut Mishlem) in Israel. Enter your age and plan tier to see projected premiums alongside your kupat holim coverage.
All Israeli residents have kupat holim (state health fund) coverage. This calculator estimates the additional monthly premium for a supplemental private plan based on your age and chosen tier.
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How supplemental health insurance works in Israel
Every Israeli resident is automatically covered by the national health basket through their kupat holim. The basket covers the vast majority of routine and emergency medical needs at low or zero cost. Supplemental plans (called Bituach Briut Mashlim, Mushlam, or similar depending on the fund) are sold by each kupat holim as an optional upgrade. They are priced as a monthly premium per adult family member, with premiums rising with age. Children are often covered at a reduced or fixed rate. The plans are tiered: basic plans typically provide faster specialist access and choice of surgeon; premium plans add private hospital rooms, expensive drugs not in the state basket, and international treatment coverage.
What factors drive premium costs
Age is the single biggest driver of supplemental premiums. A 30-year-old might pay 200 to 250 ILS per month for a standard plan, while a 60-year-old pays 450 to 600 ILS for the same tier. Kupat holim cannot refuse to sell you a supplemental plan based on health history, and they cannot charge different rates for individuals in the same age group within the same plan. However, some benefits for pre-existing conditions may have waiting periods of 3 to 24 months before they kick in. Smoking status does not affect kupat holim premiums, though commercial insurers selling separate critical illness or life policies do adjust rates.
Is supplemental insurance worth the cost?
The answer depends on your priorities and how often you use healthcare. For young, healthy individuals who rarely need specialist care, the basic state basket may be sufficient. For families with children, chronic conditions, or those who value shorter waiting times for elective procedures, a mid-tier supplemental plan often pays for itself in a single year. The most concrete benefit is the right to choose your specialist or surgeon rather than being assigned one, which can meaningfully affect outcomes for planned procedures. If you travel frequently, premium plans that include international medical coverage may also be worth comparing against standalone travel insurance.
Frequently asked questions
Does everyone in Israel already have health insurance?
Yes. Under the National Health Insurance Law (Chok Bituach Briut), every Israeli resident is entitled to membership in one of four kupot holim (health funds): Clalit, Maccabi, Meuhedet, or Leumit. The state basket (sal briut) covers a comprehensive range of medical services including GP visits, specialist referrals, hospitalisation, surgery, and most common medications. Membership is funded through the health tax (mas briut) deducted from salaries and collected by Bituach Leumi. You cannot be refused coverage for pre-existing conditions.
What does supplemental private insurance (Bituach Mishlem or Mashlim) add?
Supplemental plans, sold by each kupat holim under its own brand (for example, Clalit Mushlam, Maccabi Zahav, Meuhedet Sheli), add benefits on top of the state basket. These typically include choice of specialist or surgeon beyond the state-assigned provider, reduced waiting times for elective procedures, access to private hospitals, coverage of expensive drugs and treatments not in the state basket, dental and optical discounts, and second opinions. Premium tier plans also include international treatment coverage. The extra cover is optional but widely purchased by Israelis who value faster or more personalised care.
Are supplemental health insurance premiums tax-deductible in Israel?
Health insurance premiums paid to kupat holim supplemental plans are not generally deductible from income tax for employed individuals. For self-employed individuals (Atzmai), health insurance premiums can be partially deducted as a business expense, but the rules are complex and the deductible portion is capped. Separately, some private health insurance products bought from commercial insurers (not kupat holim) may qualify for a tax credit under Section 45 of the Income Tax Ordinance. You should consult a tax adviser to confirm the treatment for your specific policy and circumstances.
Can I join a supplemental plan at any time, or are there enrollment windows?
Kupat holim supplemental plans can generally be joined at any time, but there may be waiting periods for pre-existing conditions on higher-tier plans. The base (zahav or plus) supplemental tier usually has no waiting period for most services. Switching between kupot holim is allowed once a year during the annual transfer period (usually January). When you switch kupot holim, your supplemental plan resets, and waiting periods may apply at the new fund. If you have ongoing treatments or a chronic condition, switching funds mid-treatment can disrupt continuity of care.