Health Insurance in Israel: Basket, Shaban & Private - What Do You Really Need?

Start a health-insurance review with what you already have: the public basket, HMO supplementary services and private or group policies. Compare a specific service rather than insurance names alone. This helps identify gaps or overlap without giving up valuable rights.

Three layers of cover

• Public basket: services provided to eligible people through HMOs under the law and medical indications.
• SHABAN: additional services for HMO members who join a supplementary programme, under its rules, qualifying periods and copayments.
• Private insurance: cover purchased from an insurer, subject to the policy, underwriting and individual exclusions.

Check a specific entitlement through the Ministry of Health’s Kol HaBriut service and programme rules. Also check referral, network-provider and prior-approval requirements.

What should you compare?

• Medication: whether the drug and indication qualify, and the applicable limits and copayment.
• Surgery: provider networks, whether SHABAN rights must be used first, and deductibles.
• Treatment abroad: the qualifying event, prior approval, providers and related expenses.
• Tests and consultations: the cover purchased, frequency, referrals and reimbursement limits.

Critical-illness insurance is a separate product that may pay a fixed amount when a policy-defined illness qualifies. It is not a promise to reimburse every treatment. See the guide to private health cover.

Health declarations, exclusions and qualifying periods

HMO members do not undergo medical underwriting to join SHABAN, though qualifying periods may apply to services. Private insurance may involve a health declaration, exclusions or special terms. Being young does not guarantee no exclusions or a lifelong fixed price.

There is no single qualifying period for all benefits. Check its length, the start date, exclusions for prior conditions and continuity of cover. Harel’s health FAQ illustrates why each benefit’s terms must be read separately.

How much does health insurance cost?

There is no single price for “good health insurance”. For SHABAN, check the HMO, programme and age tariff. For private cover, compare benefits, age, underwriting terms, deductibles and the premium schedule. Ask what happens after a discount ends and at later ages, not just the entry price.

How do you compare HMOs and programmes?

Compare the service you need where you live: network providers, availability, entitlement, copayments and digital access. No HMO is best for every family. Before switching, check effective dates, continuity of rights and relevant qualifying periods.

Before adding or cancelling a policy

• Collect private and group policies and identify your SHABAN programme.
• Compare the same service, benefit amount, provider and deductible.
• Consider your needs and ongoing affordability alongside existing cover.
• Before replacement, obtain the new acceptance terms, exclusions and continuity arrangements in writing.
• Do not cancel solely because of a similar policy name or a promised saving.