Comparison Of Kupat Cholim Services

Basic Coverage (All Providers)

All four provide identical basic coverage mandated by the Ministry of Health, including:

• Primary care and specialist consultations
• Hospitalization and surgery
• Basic medications
• Laboratory tests and imaging
• Mental health services
• Emergency care

Clalit Health Services

Strengths:

• Largest network with 4.6 million members (over 50% of population) More health fund members switch; Maccabi gains, Leumit loses the most - The Jerusalem Post
• Most extensive infrastructure with 1,500 clinics across the country Choosing a Kupat Cholim
• Owns 14 hospitals including major medical centers More health fund members switch; Maccabi gains, Leumit loses the most - The Jerusalem Post
• Best coverage in rural and peripheral areas
• Advanced research capabilities with Clalit Research Institute More health fund members switch; Maccabi gains, Leumit loses the most - The Jerusalem Post

Weaknesses:

• Longer wait times due to sheer volume - sometimes weeks or months for certain services JangloChaim V’Chessed
• More bureaucratic due to size

Supplementary Plans:

• Mushlam Zahav: About 30 shekels per month ‍Healthcare For Tourists in Israel | Yad L’Olim
• Mushlam Platinum: About 75 shekels per month ‍Healthcare For Tourists in Israel | Yad L’Olim

Maccabi Healthcare Services

Strengths:

• Second largest with over 2 million members (25% of population) Understanding the 3 Levels of Insurance Coverage
• Minimal waiting times and efficient digital services Understanding the 3 Levels of Insurance Coverage
• Strong mobile app for appointments and doctor consultations Understanding the 3 Levels of Insurance Coverage
• Popular among English speakers Adventures in AliyahLand: How to choose a health care provider (kupat cholim) in Israel
• Highest net membership gain in recent years Medication Look-Up: Basic Healthcare Basket and Supplemental Plans

Weaknesses:

• Higher costs for additional services Understanding the 3 Levels of Insurance Coverage
• Some medications may be unavailable in their pharmacies Understanding the 3 Levels of Insurance Coverage

Supplementary Plans:

• Magen Zahav: About 40 shekels per month ‍Healthcare For Tourists in Israel | Yad L’Olim
• Maccabi Sheli: About 82 shekels per month ‍Healthcare For Tourists in Israel | Yad L’Olim

Meuhedet

Strengths:

• Third largest with 1.2-1.3 million members (15% of population) Kupat Holim Meuhedet - Wikipedia
• High service quality with virtually no queues JangloWelcome Israel
• Pioneer in “Hybrid Medicine” with multi-channel approach Meuhedet Health Services - International Aliyah Medical Program
• Popular among English speakers Adventures in AliyahLand: How to choose a health care provider (kupat cholim) in Israel
• Basic dental services included in some plans YadlolimWelcome Israel

Weaknesses:

• Clinics mainly located in large cities Welcome IsraelChaim V’Chessed
• More limited geographic coverage

Supplementary Plans:

• Adif: Wide range of services including medical care abroad
• Si: Extended coverage focusing on aesthetic medicine and dentistry
• Siudi: For families needing constant care with 24-hour monitoring
• Hul: Advanced package for specific needs and rare diseases

Leumit Health Fund

Strengths:

• Smallest provider with over 700,000 members (9% of population) Leumit Health Care Services - Wikipedia
• Strong English and Arabic-speaking staff Understanding the 3 Levels of Insurance Coverage
• Extensive alternative medicine options with no treatment limits About us | Leumit Start| Leumit Health Services
• Good customer service reputation
• Particularly strong in certain communities like Beit Shemesh Israel healthcare system

Weaknesses:

• Most debt-ridden fund with highest membership losses Medication Look-Up: Basic Healthcare Basket and Supplemental Plans
• Smallest network may mean limited options in some areas

Supplementary Plans:

• Leumit Silver: Basic additional services
• Leumit Gold: Comprehensive package

Key Comparison Factors

Wait Times:

• Fastest: Maccabi and Meuhedet (virtually no waiting Understanding the 3 Levels of Insurance Coverage)
• Slowest: Clalit (due to high volume)

English Language Support:

• Best: Meuhedet and Maccabi are popular among English speakers Adventures in AliyahLand: How to choose a health care provider (kupat cholim) in Israel
• Good: Leumit has many English-speaking staff Understanding the 3 Levels of Insurance Coverage
• Note: Health Ministry recently mandated all kupot cholim accept communications in foreign languages

Geographic Coverage:

• Best: Clalit (most extensive nationwide)
• Urban-focused: Meuhedet (mainly large cities)

Digital Services:

• Most advanced: Maccabi with strong mobile app capabilities Understanding the 3 Levels of Insurance Coverage
• Innovative: Meuhedet with hybrid medicine approach Meuhedet Health Services - International Aliyah Medical Program

Supplementary Insurance Costs:

Costs range from 10 NIS per month for young children to 200 NIS per month for those over 80 Decoding Kupot Cholim: A Concierge Guide for Busy Executives in Israel, varying by:

• Age bracket
• Family size
• Plan level selected

Special Features:

• Clalit: Research excellence, largest hospital network
• Maccabi: Digital innovation, efficient service
• Meuhedet: Boutique service, dental care inclusion
• Leumit: Alternative medicine, multilingual staff

Switching Between Providers:

• Can only switch once per year on specific dates
• New immigrants have 90 days to join supplementary plans without waiting periods
• Can transfer early if moving >40 miles from current location

Bottom Line: Choice depends on your priorities - geographic needs, language preferences, wait time tolerance, and specific medical requirements. All provide identical basic coverage, so supplementary services and convenience factors are the main differentiators