Long-Term Care Insurance in Israel: What It Is, What Changed, and What to Check

A long-term care situation is one of the heaviest expenses a family can face, and Bituach Leumi covers only part of it. Long-term care (siudi) insurance is meant to fill the gap — but its definitions and terms have changed in recent years. In this article: how it works, what triggers it, and what changed in the HMOs’ group insurance.

How long-term care insurance works

Long-term care insurance pays a monthly benefit when the insured becomes care-dependent (siudi) — unable to perform some activities of daily living (ADL) on their own: getting up and lying down, dressing, bathing, eating, mobility, and continence. The benefit helps fund a caregiver, a care facility, or care at home. This differs from critical illness insurance, which pays a lump sum upon diagnosis.

What triggers the insurance (ADL activities)

The insured event is usually defined by the number of daily activities the insured can’t perform, or by a "cognitive decline" test. In the HMOs’ group LTC insurance, the definitions were updated — for example, the number of activities the insured must be unable to perform rose, and certain activities were redefined. The exact definition of the insured event is the most important clause to check, because it determines when the benefit is paid.

What changed in the HMOs’ group insurance

The HMOs’ group LTC insurance has undergone material changes, including an update to the definition of the insured event and restrictions on buying expanded coverage during a certain period. Israel’s LTC market is in flux and terms keep changing — so it’s important to check the current policy rather than rely on what was true in the past. Also check the applicable waiting period and health declaration.

How Ravit can help

Exactly what qualifies as an insured event in your LTC policy, the benefit amount, and how long it’s paid — are written in the policy terms. Send Ravit the documents on WhatsApp, ask in plain language, and get a policy-based answer with a clause reference — and honesty when something needs to be checked with the company.

The information in this article is general only and does not constitute medical, insurance, legal, or pension advice, and is not a substitute for reading your policy terms or consulting a licensed professional. Coverage, amounts, and conditions vary between policies and change over time — always verify against your own specific policy and an authorized professional.