Jeffrey Wade
Israel is known for its excellent hospitals and medical facilities, but it's important to note that U.S. health insurance and Medicare are typically not accepted there. Travellers are usually required to pay upfront for medical services, even in emergencies. Therefore, it is highly recommended to purchase travel insurance before visiting Israel. This insurance will protect you from unexpected situations and cover medical expenses, baggage loss, trip cancellations, and more. Some reputable companies offering travel insurance for Israel include IMG, Travel Insured International, Harel, and Maccabi. It is essential to carefully review the terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to understand what is covered and what exclusions may apply.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Company | Harel Insurance Company |
| Coverage | Hospitalization, prescriptions, x-rays, emergency dental, doctor visits, and medical specialists |
| Payment | No out-of-pocket payments; the insurer pays the healthcare provider/pharmacy directly |
| Additional Benefits | 24-hour English-speaking call center and contracted English-speaking doctors |
| Other Options | IMG, Travel Insured International, Global Underwriters, Maccabi, Leumit, Cal Visa/Mastercard/Diners, Leumi Card, Isracard |
| Coverage Exclusions | Pre-existing conditions, pregnancy, injuries related to "extreme sports", self-inflicted injuries |
| Notes | Travel insurance is a requirement for all visitors to Israel; it is recommended to compare policies and choose one that covers medical expenses, trip cancellations, evacuations, and endorsements for specific activities and regions |
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What You'll Learn
Local medical insurance in Israel
Healthcare in Israel is universal and participation in a medical insurance plan is compulsory for all Israeli residents. The Israeli healthcare system is based on the National Health Insurance Law of 1995, which mandates that all citizens join one of the four official health insurance organizations, known as Kupat Holim. Kupat Holim are run as not-for-profit organizations and are legally prohibited from denying membership to any Israeli resident.
Israeli citizens can increase their medical coverage and improve their options by purchasing private health insurance. Some insurance companies offer private health insurance coverage designed to supplement the plans offered by the health funds. Providers in the Israeli healthcare system consist of a mixture of private, semi-private, and public entities.
Holders of Israeli international credit cards are often eligible for free basic traveller's insurance, with an option to expand for extra coverage. Health plans often offer coverage until the beginning of the third trimester (weeks 30-32), while private policies may insure you through week 36. Traveller's health insurance policies are also available through travel agents and private insurance agents.
For tourists, it is recommended to purchase health insurance to cover medical expenses in Israel, including hospitalization and medical care outside of hospitals. One of the major advantages of these plans is the access provided to the diverse medical services offered in Israel, without additional charge. Travel insurance policies purchased outside of Israel may require the policyholder to pay for medical services and then request reimbursement, which may not cover the entire expense.
Harel Yedidim is Israel's leading insurer for tourists and the only company that offers the option of private health services. Harel pays the service providers directly, so the insured does not bear any expenses. The insurance plan also provides coverage for medical flights from Israel to the policyholder's home country.
Additionally, there are some international travel insurance companies that offer health insurance for persons travelling to Israel. These include Patriot International Lite, Global Underwriters, and Harel, a leading Israeli insurance provider.
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US travel insurance for Israel
Travel insurance for a visit to Israel is highly recommended to ensure a worry-free and safe trip. It is important to note that travel insurance for Israel was previously optional, but it has become a requirement for tourists entering Israel since the country reopened to tourists after COVID-19.
US citizens should be aware that their domestic health insurance, including Medicare, has very limited coverage outside the United States. Therefore, it is crucial to purchase a suitable international travel insurance plan for Israel. Several options are available for US citizens travelling to Israel, such as the Patriot International Lite plan offered by IMG, a well-known and long-standing travel insurance company. This plan provides economical and comprehensive coverage for unexpected medical problems, including medical evacuation and ambulance coverage.
Additionally, trip cancellation insurance is available for US residents, covering trip costs up to a certain amount. Medical evacuation and repatriation of remains are also covered under this insurance, with options to enhance coverage. Accident and sickness medical expense coverage is another important feature, with the option to increase the coverage limit.
When choosing a travel insurance plan for Israel, it is essential to consider your specific needs and requirements. Factors such as age, trip duration, trip cost, maximum coverage, and any additional add-ons will impact the cost of travel insurance. It is also crucial to ensure that your travel insurance covers all the countries you plan to visit, especially if you are combining your trip to Israel with neighbouring countries like Jordan and Egypt.
Furthermore, it is recommended to use a service that compares travel insurance policies, such as InsureMyTrip, to find the best plan for your needs. By comparing policies, you can understand the ins and outs of each policy option and make an informed decision. Remember to always review the travel insurance documents closely for coverage details and relevant contact information.
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Trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage
When it comes to trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage for medical travel insurance honored in Israel, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is recommended that tourists to Israel consider purchasing comprehensive medical travel insurance that covers unexpected medical expenses, medical evacuation, and trip interruption or cancellation. This is especially important due to the ongoing conflict in the region, which has made obtaining travel insurance for Israel challenging in the past.
To ensure you are fully covered, it is advisable to purchase both medical travel insurance and a trip cancellation plan. The trip cancellation plan will reimburse you for any non-refundable portions of your trip costs if you have to cancel due to illness, family emergencies, or other valid reasons outlined in the policy. For example, the Patriot International Lite plan offered by IMG, a well-known travel insurance company, covers medical expenses and baggage loss during your trip. However, if you don't end up going on your trip, you can cancel this plan before the start date and receive a full refund.
In addition to trip cancellation plans, there are other options for trip interruption coverage. Some companies offer travel medical insurance plans that include trip interruption benefits. These plans typically cover emergency medical expenses, medical evacuation, and repatriation. For instance, Global Underwriters provides coverage for unexpected medical expenses, including medical evacuation and repatriation, during your trip to Israel.
It's important to carefully review the terms and conditions of any insurance plan you consider purchasing. Pay close attention to the covered reasons for trip cancellation or interruption, as well as any exclusions or limitations on the reimbursement amount. Additionally, be mindful that some plans may exclude medical emergencies related to wars or conflicts from their coverage.
Another option for trip interruption coverage is to consider purchasing travel insurance through an Israeli international credit card. Holders of these credit cards often have access to free basic travel insurance, with the option to expand coverage for an additional cost. This can include extending the insurance to cover extreme sports, although this is usually age-restricted and comes at a higher price.
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Israeli medical insurance for tourists
It is recommended that tourists to Israel purchase health insurance to cover medical expenses, including hospitalisation and medical care outside of hospitals. Travel insurance purchased in your country of origin may require you to pay for medical services and then request reimbursement, which may not cover the entire expense.
Harel Yedidim is Israel's leading insurer for tourists and the only company that offers the option of private health services. They pay the service providers directly, so the insured does not bear any expenses. Their policies offer access to diverse medical services in Israel, including doctors, laboratories, pharmacies, and more.
Egert and Cohen Insurance also offer tourist health insurance in Israel, including coverage for Covid-19. Their policies cover sudden deterioration of pre-existing illnesses/medical conditions, psychiatric emergencies, and various other medical conditions.
For US citizens travelling to Israel, American Visitor Insurance provides travel medical insurance. They offer plans that cover unexpected medical expenses, medical evacuation, ambulance coverage, and repatriation. The Patriot International Lite plan, offered by IMG, is a recommended option that is both economical and comprehensive.
Additionally, holders of Israeli international credit cards are often eligible for free basic traveller's insurance, with the option to expand for extra coverage.
Other options for traveller's insurance in Israel include Maccabi traveller's insurance, Leumit traveller's insurance, Cal Visa/Mastercard/Diners traveller's insurance, Leumi card traveller's insurance, and Isracard traveller's insurance.
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Recommended travel insurance companies for Israel
When travelling to Israel, it is important to have good travel insurance to cover any unexpected medical problems or emergencies. US citizens, in particular, should note that their domestic health insurance, including Medicare, has little to no coverage outside of the United States.
One recommended insurance provider for Israel is Harel Yedidim, which is Israel's leading insurer for tourists. They offer a private healthcare system that allows the insured to choose from a list of contracted physicians with a high level of availability. Harel pays the service providers directly, meaning the insured does not have to pay any expenses out of pocket. They also offer coverage for medical flights from Israel to your home country.
Another option is IMG, a well-known and long-standing travel insurance company. They offer the Patriot International Lite policy, which is very economical and comprehensive, taking care of unexpected medical problems. They also offer the iTravelInsured Choice plan, which is ideal for travellers visiting multiple regions in Israel. This plan offers higher benefit limits, including $250,000 in Emergency Medical and $500,000 in Medical Evacuation.
Travel Insured International is another recommended provider, offering the FlexiPAX plan, which is perfect for flexible itineraries, family vacations, or group travel. This plan is customizable and includes optional Cancel For Any Reason coverage and high evacuation limits.
For those looking for medical-only coverage, a Medical-only plan averaged $4.98 per day, based on an $84.70 premium for a 17-day trip. This is a budget-friendly option that still provides essential protection in an emergency.
It is important to carefully review the Certificate of Insurance (COI) for exclusions related to civil unrest, pre-existing conditions, or travel to restricted areas. Additionally, travellers should be aware that some insurance plans may not cover injuries from hiking, attending crowded religious gatherings, or visiting regions under government advisories.
To find the best travel insurance for your specific needs, it is recommended to use a service that compares policies from multiple providers, such as InsureMyTrip or Squaremouth's quote engine.
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Frequently asked questions
Some recommended medical travel insurance options for Israel include IMG, Travel Insured International, Harel, and Maccabi.
Medical travel insurance typically covers medical and hospitalisation costs and may also cover personal accidents, personal effects, loss of travel expenses, search and rescue operations, and medical evacuation.
It is important to carefully review the Certificate of Insurance (COI) for exclusions related to civil unrest, pre-existing conditions, or travel to restricted areas. You should also consider your specific needs, such as whether you plan to engage in extreme sports or visit multiple regions.
You can purchase medical travel insurance for Israel through various avenues, including health plans, international credit cards, travel agents, and private insurance agents. It is recommended to compare different insurance policies to find the one that best suits your needs.
