Estimate your annual out-of-pocket medical costs in Israel. Enter GP visits, specialist visits, prescriptions, and dental expenses to see total yearly spend and the potential saving from supplemental insurance.
Enter your expected number of medical visits and dental spend per year to estimate total out-of-pocket medical costs and the potential saving from a supplemental health insurance plan.
Estimated annual out-of-pocket
—
GP visits cost
—
Specialist visits cost
—
Dental and other
—
Potential insurance saving
—
Your breakdown
Updates live as you type
Item
Amount
Understanding out-of-pocket medical costs in Israel
Israel provides universal health coverage through the four kupot holim (health funds). While the system is comprehensive, it is not free at the point of use. Each visit, prescription, and procedure typically carries a copay (Tashlum Mishutaf). The copay for a GP visit is around 35 to 55 ILS, for a specialist around 100 to 130 ILS, and for prescription medications around 15 ILS per item. For a family of four with a mix of ages and health needs, annual copays alone can reach 3,000 to 7,000 ILS. Dental care for adults is entirely out of pocket for most Israelis, adding a further 1,000 to 3,000 ILS per year for routine maintenance.
What supplemental insurance covers and what it costs
Supplemental health plans (Bituach Mishlem or Mashlim) sold by kupot holim reduce some of these out-of-pocket costs. Benefits vary by tier but commonly include reduced or zero specialist copays for in-network providers, coverage of expensive drugs not in the standard basket, dental discounts (partial), and optical allowances. A mid-tier supplemental plan costs around 280 to 400 ILS per month for an adult. If your annual out-of-pocket spend on non-dental items exceeds 4,000 to 5,000 ILS, a supplemental plan may save you money, in addition to providing the benefit of specialist choice and reduced waiting times.
How to reduce out-of-pocket medical costs in Israel
Several strategies reduce healthcare spending. Always request a GP referral before seeing a specialist to access the lower referred copay rate rather than the higher self-referral rate. Use the online appointment system of your kupat holim to see when copays apply versus when certain preventive services are copay-free (annual checkups, childhood vaccinations, and some screening programmes are often zero-cost). For medications, ask your kupat holim pharmacist about generic alternatives to branded drugs, which typically carry lower copays. Check whether your supplemental plan includes dental or optical allowances that you are not yet using. Bundle non-urgent specialist appointments where possible to reduce visit frequency.
Frequently asked questions
What are typical copays at kupat holim in Israel in 2025?
The standard copay (Tashlum Mishutaf) at Israeli kupot holim in 2025 is approximately 35 to 55 ILS for a GP visit, 100 to 130 ILS for a specialist appointment (Tipul Rofeh Metuchah), and 15 to 30 ILS per prescription item (depending on the drug and your plan tier). Some kupot holim waive copays entirely for children under 5 or for certain chronic illness management visits. Emergency room visits at public hospitals have a copay of approximately 120 to 150 ILS. If you visit a specialist without a referral, the copay is higher. Always request a referral (Havnaya) from your GP to minimise costs.
Does kupat holim cover dental treatment in Israel?
Basic dental care for children up to age 18 is covered by the state basket through kupat holim. For adults, dental treatment is not covered by the standard basket. A few kupat holim supplemental plans include limited dental benefits such as a fixed annual dental allowance, discounts at approved dental clinics, or coverage for certain procedures. Most adult Israelis pay dentist fees entirely out of pocket. Private dental treatment in Israel ranges from around 300 ILS for a simple filling to 2,000 ILS for a crown and 5,000 to 12,000 ILS for an implant. Annual dental maintenance (checkup plus 1 to 2 small fillings) typically costs 600 to 1,500 ILS.
What medical costs are not covered by kupat holim in Israel?
The standard state basket (Sal Briut) is comprehensive but excludes several categories. Adult dental care is not covered. Cosmetic procedures and elective cosmetic surgery are excluded. Fertility treatments beyond a limited number of IVF cycles per child are excluded. Some expensive or experimental drugs not yet listed in the basket are excluded, though you can apply to the basket committee for individual approval. Long-term care nursing home costs are only partially covered. Alternative medicine (acupuncture, homeopathy, naturopathy) is not covered unless specifically included in your supplemental plan. Vision correction surgery (laser) is also excluded.
How much does a private specialist visit cost in Israel if I want to bypass the waiting list?
If you choose to see a specialist privately without going through the kupat holim referral system, fees vary significantly by specialty and seniority of the doctor. A first consultation with a private specialist typically costs 500 to 1,500 ILS. Cardiologists, orthopedic surgeons, and dermatologists at senior or renowned clinics charge toward the upper end. Some supplemental plan holders can see specialists at reduced rates within the plan network. For planned procedures like colonoscopy, private clinics may charge 2,000 to 4,000 ILS versus a shorter wait of a few weeks rather than months through the public system.