Explaining Israeli health insurance for gap year students keeps EMA Care staff busy.

EMA Care currently assists several hundred gap year students studying in Israel plus several hundred more in clinics managed by EMA Care. Almost all students are on tourist or student visas, which mean each student has health insurance especially designed for students and tourists.

Israeli health insurance for students usually covers 100% cost of doctor visits, tests, and medication for routine, new issues. It does not cover any appointments, treatments, tests, or medication for a preexisting health condition. Some plans will allow a student with a preexisting condition take out, at an extra cost, extended benefits to include hospitalization for a preexisting condition. This can only be done if the condition has been stable for six months before arriving in Israel.

Some exclusions (depending on the policy) may include psychiatric or psychological care, ADHD medication or evaluation, medical equipment, physical therapy or para-medical therapy, holistic treatments, and over the counter medications. Some policies include emergency options to fly a child back home for medical care.

Examples of Routine Medical Care

1. Fever with a sore throat
2. Tiredness and a general feeling of being unwell
3. Stomach issues like diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain
4. Respiratory infections – colds, coughs, bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis

In all these cases, family doctor appointment, lab tests (as needed), x-rays (as needed), and prescription medication are covered by most types of health insurance.

It’s important to note appointments for family doctors are generally readily available. See HERE for information on weekend/ holiday availability. In most cases, family doctors have to refer the student for tests, specialist appointments, and lab work.

Examples of Non-Routine Medical Care (which will not usually be covered by local student insurance):

1. Dietician
2. Podiatrist
3. Complementary medicine such as cranial-sacral therapy, homeopathy, osteopathy, and reflexology
4. Physical therapy

Some programs request each student to use the same medical insurance, issued by a specific broker. Some programs allow each student to choose their own medical insurance. EMA Care has partnered with both types of schools. When every student has the same medical insurance policy, the student’s healthcare is managed more efficiently. EMA Care urges schools to sign on for one medical insurance plan for all students. We strongly recommend parents to request one plan for all students and, if the option is available, to sign up for the school medical program even if your child has coverage through your home insurance carrier.

EMA Care strives to explain Israeli health insurance coverage to parents and to students. When EMA Care is working together with the student’s school it is our job assist each student in how to maximize benefits that the Israeli medical insurance offers.