X-Ray Cost in Israel
What you actually pay under Kupat Holim and supplementary insurance. Last reviewed April 2026.
Quick Overview
Israel's National Health Insurance Law mandates coverage for every resident through one of four Kupot Holim (health funds): Clalit (largest), Maccabi, Meuhedet, and Leumit. All cover diagnostic imaging as part of the basic benefits basket (Sal Briut). You pay a small specialist / imaging co-pay (typically ₪20–50) for a doctor's referral visit. Over 80% of Israelis also hold supplementary insurance from their Kupah — which reduces or eliminates co-pays, offers wider provider choice, and covers services outside the basic basket.
🏥 Basic Kupat Holim
- Specialist visit co-pay (typical)
- X-ray itself covered by Sal Briut
- Use your Kupah's contracted imaging centre
- Quarterly cap on specialist co-pays
🏥 Supplementary (Mushlam/Zahav)
- Maccabi Sheli: ~70% discount off provider list prices
- Maccabi Zahav: ~42% discount
- Held by 80%+ of Israelis
- Monthly fee ₪50–150
🏥 Private Full Self-pay
- Outside Kupat Holim system
- Tourists / non-residents
- Premium private hospitals (Assuta, Herzliya Medical Center)
- Same-day access
Typical Israeli X-Ray Prices
Indicative patient payments as of April 2026. Israeli citizens pay small co-pays via Kupat Holim; non-residents pay full private rates.
| Setting | What you pay (NIS) | USD (≈) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kupat Holim basic (specialist + X-ray) | ₪25–50 | $7–$14 | Per visit co-pay |
| Kupat Holim + supplementary (Mushlam/Zahav) | ₪0–25 | $0–$7 | Often co-pay waived |
| Full self-pay chest X-ray (private) | ₪300–600 | $80–$160 | No Kupah — tourist / non-resident |
| Premium private hospital X-ray | ₪500–900+ | $135–$245 | Assuta, Herzliya Medical Center |
| Quarterly co-pay ceiling | Capped by Kupah | — | Check your fund for current cap |
Indicative ranges. USD conversions at approximately ₪3.7 = $1. Kupat Holim co-pays are reviewed annually. Supplementary insurance plans vary widely in fee schedule and coverage — check your specific plan.
How Israeli Kupat Holim Works
The four Kupot
- Clalit: largest, widest hospital network
- Maccabi: innovation-oriented
- Meuhedet: mid-sized
- Leumit: smaller fund
- All legally required to provide Sal Briut basic basket
Funding
- National Health Tax (~3–5% of income, progressive)
- Employer social security contributions
- Central National Insurance Institute allocates to Kupot per member
- Supplementary insurance: member-paid premium to Kupah
How to get an X-ray
- See your Kupah GP or specialist — get a referral (hafnaya)
- Book at Kupah-contracted imaging centre (or use supplementary list)
- Present Kupat Holim card / ID
- Pay any co-pay at reception (or nothing if supplementary covers)
Where to Get an X-Ray
🏥 Public / Kupah-Owned Hospitals
- Tel HaShomer (Sheba Medical Center)
- Hadassah Medical Center — Jerusalem
- Rambam Health Care Campus — Haifa
- Soroka Medical Center — Be'er Sheva
- Ichilov (Sourasky) — Tel Aviv
- Clalit-owned hospital network
🏥 Private Hospitals
- Assuta Medical Centers — Tel Aviv
- Herzliya Medical Center
- Elisha Hospital — Haifa
- Herzliya Medical Center
- Kupah-contracted private imaging centres nationwide
💡 Practical tips
- Use your Kupah's network for lowest out-of-pocket
- Supplementary insurance dramatically cuts provider fees
- Tourists: private hospitals accept insurance direct bills
- Digital imaging via Kupah patient portal
Guide by Patient Type
🇮🇱 Israeli residents
- Use your Kupah's network — minimal co-pay
- Supplementary (Mushlam / Zahav): widely held, recommended
- Switch Kupah freely (once a year) if unhappy
- Children and seniors: often lower co-pays
💼 New immigrants (olim)
- Enrol in a Kupah within 30 days of aliyah
- Supplementary insurance highly recommended
- Initial subsidised enrolment period from Bituach Leumi
- English service varies by Kupah
✈️ Tourists / non-residents
- Not eligible for Kupat Holim — pay full private rates
- Self-pay chest X-ray ₪300–900+
- Travel health insurance recommended
- Emergency care available at hospitals regardless
Practical Details
📋 What to bring
- Teudat Zehut (Israeli ID) or passport
- Kupat Holim card (digital or physical)
- Doctor's referral (hafnaya)
- Prior imaging via Kupah portal
- Card for co-pay
⏰ Typical wait times
- Emergency: immediate
- Kupah routine: days
- Private self-pay: same day
- Results: same day via portal
💡 How to save money
- Use Kupah-contracted imaging centres
- Invest in supplementary insurance — quick payback
- Watch quarterly specialist co-pay ceiling
- Children / pensioners often exempt or discounted
FAQ
Is an X-ray free with Kupat Holim?
The X-ray itself is covered. You pay a small specialist / imaging visit co-pay (typically ₪25–50). With supplementary insurance (Mushlam / Zahav / Sheli), that co-pay is often waived entirely.
What's the difference between Mushlam, Zahav, Sheli, etc.?
All are Kupat Holim supplementary insurance plans. Clalit Mushlam / Platinum, Maccabi Sheli (more generous) vs Zahav (basic), Meuhedet Adif / Si, Leumit Silver / Gold. Each fund's plans differ in provider list pricing discounts and covered services.
How much does supplementary insurance cost?
Typically ₪50–150 per month depending on Kupah and plan tier. Most Israelis consider it worth the cost: Maccabi Sheli gives roughly 70% discount on provider list prices, Zahav ~42%.
Can I use a specific private imaging centre?
Via basic Sal Briut, you're limited to Kupah-contracted centres. Supplementary insurance opens the door to broader provider lists — especially useful for specialist or private hospital imaging.
How do I switch Kupah?
Via Bituach Leumi's online portal or in person. Switching is allowed freely every 6 months. Your supplementary insurance transfers only if explicitly arranged — check before switching.
Do tourists pay more?
Yes, tourists are not covered by Kupat Holim and pay full private rates. Travel health insurance with Israel coverage is strongly recommended.
Compare X-Ray Costs Across Countries
Sources
- Bituach Leumi (National Insurance Institute) — Sal Briut rules
- Clalit / Maccabi / Meuhedet / Leumit — supplementary plan descriptions
- Commonwealth Fund — Israel healthcare system profile
- Nefesh B'Nefesh, Chaim V'Chessed — Kupat Holim guides for olim
Last reviewed: April 2026. Co-pays and supplementary insurance terms change annually; check with your Kupah.