Prescription Coverage

FranticFrummie

Wed, Aug 21 2013, 11:05 pm

I take a fairly expensive bunch of medications (about $400 a month, full cost), but right now my clinic covers a huge chunk of it.

How does insurance work in Israel for prescriptions? Who gives the best plan, and what percent to you pay out of pocket?

Thanks!

m in Israel

Thu, Aug 22 2013, 12:24 am

Prescription coverage is through the Kuppot Cholim. There are things covered under the basic coverage which would be the same for all the Kuppot, and the upgrades increase your coverage. Each medicine is different. For some you have a straight out co-pay, for some the Kuppah covers a certain percentage of the cost (ranging from 15% to 50%), for some there is no coverage. Some medicines can be gotten in any pharmacy, some require using the Kuppah pharmacy if you want the discount. There are some discounts for OTC medications if you get a prescription for them.

You will really need to specifically check your medications. There used to be someone at Nefesh B'Nefesh who specifically specialized in questions about medication (not all the medications that you can get in the U.S. are available here, too, so it's a good idea to check that out as well, so if something is not available you can speak to your doctor before you leave about possible alternatives or substitutes.) -- maybe contact them and see if they still have that.