Israel Healthcare 101
Structure of the Healthcare
Primary Healthcare, Specialized (Ambulatory Care), Day Care, Emergency Care, Mental Health Care, Dental Care, Pharmaceuticals, Rehabilitation Care, and Alternative Medicine are part of the healthcare services provided in the state of Israel.
Financing Healthcare
Israel has National Health Insurance, which offers universal coverage for citizens and permanent residents of the country based on the Health Insurance Law of 1995. The local insurance system is commonly referred toas "Kupot Cholim," which in English translates to "Sick Funds". Insurance is available to all by registration.
Citizens and permanent residents are free to choose the following four health Insurance funds
The Clalit Health Fund
The Maccabi Health Fund
The Meuhedet Health Fund
The Leumit Health Fund
To compliment services offered by the four funds, members can purchase supplementary insurance and commercial insurance provided by private insurers to get access to fast services, greater choice of providers, and improved amenities.
Employers of foreign workers, tourists, and non-permanent residents opt for private health insurance. The healthcare system is funded by deductions from salaries on a monthly basis (health tax), for which one can simply switch between the funds every six months after filling the transfer application form. Out-of-pocket payments are made by people with no insurance. Some prescribed drugs that are not covered by insurance require cash.
Investment Opportunities
Lucrative opportunities to invest in the State of Israel’s healthcare space include but are not limited to:
Digital Health
Personalized Medicine using genetic sequencing
Research and Development Initiatives
Start Ups & Technology
Israel is a home to lucrative tech startups and health tech companies comprising a large network. Notable startups include:
Mazor Robotics
Syneron Candela
Healthy.io
ReWalk Robotics
EarlySense
Emerging Technologies used by these startups to ensure provision of innovative healthcare solutions include:
Medical Imaging and Artificial Intelligence
Computer Vision and Robotics
Biotechnology, Augmented Reality, Speech Recognition, and Gene Therapy
Challenges
Shortage of healthcare personnel in rural and remote areas
Increase in wages owed to healthcare workers
Increase in health disparities including low life expectancy, high mortality rate resulting from heart disease, stroke, smoking, obesity
Solutions
Leveraging Israel’s advanced technology to create breakthrough medicines, treatments, and procedures will ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment for all.
Wide screening for early disease detection and campaigns will rally the population to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
The Government is to train more individuals for the medical field and allow resident students finish their residency early, in order to fill available vacancies.