Last Updated on November 8, 2021

Israel’s Public Hospitals & Medical Centers

Hebrew: בתי חולים פרטיים וציבוריים בישראל

Hopefully you will never need to be admitted to hospital.  But if you do, there is a choice of being hospitalized in government-run or private hospitals or medical facilities.  The Health Funds work in conjunction with the government hospitals and also with some private medical facilities. Some treatments and services are only offered at hospitals on an outpatient basis.

Tofes 17 – The Hitchayvut

Should you need to go to a public hospital for any reason, you will be required to present a “participation of payment authorization” (hitchayvut) from your the health fund.  The “hitchayvut” is also referred to as “Tofes 17” – Form 17 (translation here). The payment authorization is only provided upon the presentation of a doctor’s referral.  If you are taken to the emergency room, and depending on the circumstances, you may have to provide a authorization (hitchayvut) to the hospital within a certain time after you have been discharged, as specified by them.

• Navigate Israel’s medical & healthcare system with these resources

Maternity Hospitals

You can choose to deliver a baby at any of the government run hospitals in Israel that operate a maternity ward.  For convenience most women choose a hospital within their geographical area.  Should you be in another city for some reason, you will not be turned away from any hospital. Generally your own OB/GYN will not be present at the birth.  Midwives will assist you through your labor and a normal delivery.  Any emergency intervention will be treated by the team of doctors on duty and midwives.  The midwives are very experienced and you can trust them. It is comforting though if your gynecologist is affiliated to the hospital at which you are giving birth. He may even be on duty when you deliver and he can always check in on you after the birth.

• Family heath care clinics – Tipat Halav

List of Hospitals in Israel & Telephone Numbers

Private Healthcare Centers & Hospitals

Private hospitals offer all the services of a government run hospital.  The lines and waiting times are shorter and the care is much more personalized.  Some private healthcare centers offer only specific treatments and the health funds sometimes use these facilities for tests and treatments. You may be able to speed up an operation or treatment if you go to a private hospital or medical center.

Family Health Clinics – Tipat Halav

The Family Health Clinics (Tipat Halav) run by the Ministry of Health, are responsible for pre-natal and post-natal services to mothers and infants regardless of the health fund you belong to.  During your pregnancy, amongst other things, the community nurses will check your weight and take your blood pressure. They administer inoculations to your child at the appropriate intervals and check on their general well-being.  They weigh, measure, give nutritional advice for infants, check development and give breast feeding advice.  They also provide a list of doulas that you can contact, should you want to make use of one during a birth.

Poison Information Hotline

The Israel Poison Information Center at Rambam Hospital in Haifa
04-7771900 (24/7)

• Emergency services & telephone numbers

The Israel Ministry of Health

The Israeli Ministry of Health (Misrad Habriut):  website – www.health.gov.il  Tel: 02- 670 5705

Ombudsman (for public complaints, health fund issues as well as the basket of health services): Tel: 02-568 1234