Israel

Healthcare in Israel is universal. Basic healthcare for its citizens is a fundamental right, and all the citizens and legal residents must join one of the four health insurance funds that cover basic medical treatment. Israelis do have the option to increase medical coverage by purchasing supplemental insurance. The destination has both private and public health facilities and is considered to have one of the most technologically advanced healthcare systems in the world, with highly equipped modern facilities. Ever since globalization pushed medical tourism into the mainstream of the healthcare industry, Israel has remained an important global destination, thanks in part to its centrality. In the summer of 2018, the Israeli government passed new regulations aimed at flattening the Israeli healthcare market between health travelers and legal residents – previously, there was no market cap on what tourists could be charged, which incentivized medical professionals to prioritize treating tourists over citizens.

Despite the changes, Israel is still considered to be arguably the top destination for patients seeking IVF or other fertility treatments, and the unique atmosphere of the Dead Sea continues to attract patients looking to take advantage of its mineral content or high-pressure therapeutic benefits. It ranks second out of all countries in both Accreditation and Quality of Care, reaffirming the strong medical credentials that the Israeli healthcare system brings to the medical travel sector.

*Based on the 2020 – 2021 Global MTI (Medical Tourism Index) Report published by the Medical Tourism Association.*