Making Aliyah involves an extraordinary number of decisions: where to live, what to bring, which schools to choose and how to manage the first weeks in a new country. Healthcare can easily become something to deal with “after we arrive.” For anyone taking regular medication, managing a chronic condition or moving with children, however, that delay can create avoidable stress.
Israel’s healthcare system may work differently from the one an oleh knows. Upon arrival, new olim must register with one of Israel’s four health funds, but registration is only the administrative beginning. The more important question is how to preserve continuity of care from the first day.
As Rivka Ginsberg, New Olim Manager at Leumit Health Services, explains, healthcare for themselves and their families is among the first concerns prospective olim raise. People want to know whether ongoing treatments will continue, whether their medications are available in Israel and where a child who needs developmental services will receive care.
Begin the conversation before Aliyah
The most useful healthcare appointment may be the one that takes place before the flight. Speaking with a health-fund representative in advance can help identify potential gaps: a medication sold under a different name, a treatment that requires a new referral, or a specialist who should be located near the family’s future home.
Dr. Efraim Rosenbaum, a pediatrician with Leumit, recommends addressing chronic medical conditions and regular medications before departure. Do not assume that a prescription, brand or dosage form will transfer automatically. Ask your current physician what supply is appropriate for the transition, and check in advance what documentation will be needed in Israel. If a medication is unavailable, a physician can help plan a suitable alternative rather than leaving that question for the first urgent refill.
Build a medical “Aliyah file”
“Bring all of your medical records, printed,” Dr. Rosenbaum advises. A paper file may sound old-fashioned, but it can be invaluable before digital records have been transferred or uploaded. Keep a secure digital copy as well.
The file should include a concise medical summary for every family member, with diagnoses, allergies, previous procedures, current medications and dosages, recent laboratory and imaging results, and the contact details of treating physicians. Include specialist reports and a clear account of any treatment currently underway. If essential records are not in English or Hebrew, ask in advance whether the key documents should be translated.
Medication lists should identify the active ingredient, together with the dosage and formulation. This gives an Israeli physician or pharmacist a much clearer basis for finding the local equivalent.
For children
Children’s records should include a complete vaccination history and, for younger children, growth charts showing height, weight and head circumference over time. Trends often tell a pediatrician more than a single measurement taken after arrival.
If a child has received speech therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychological support or a developmental assessment, bring the evaluations, progress reports and treatment summary. The same applies to relevant reports from a preschool or school. Israel’s health funds provide child-development services, and good documentation can help the new care team understand what has already been assessed and what support should continue.
Turn uncertainty into a plan
No family can anticipate every medical need before a major move. The goal is to avoid preventable interruptions and to know whom to contact when questions arise.
Leumit offers personal guidance in English before Aliyah, including consultation about medical history, medication adjustments, continued treatment and locating services in the community. After arrival, the same support can help families move from planning to actual care close to home.
Leave your details through Leumit’s English-language website, or contact Leumit’s new olim manager, Rivka Ginsberg, directly at:
+972-50-995-5148
This article was written in cooperation with Leumit Health Services