Organ Transplant and Special Treatment Abroad Insurance: What to Know

An organ transplant abroad is one of the most expensive and complex medical events there is — logistically and financially. It’s exactly the kind of case private health insurance is meant to protect against. In this article: what the coverage includes, what changed in the October 2023 reform, and why it pays to secure coverage well in advance.

What transplant insurance includes

Transplant insurance provides coverage for organ transplants in Israel or abroad, accompanying every stage of the event:

• Before the transplant — expenses for locating the matching organ, preparing it and bringing it to the transplant site.
• During the transplant — surgeon fees and operating-room costs.
• After the transplant — follow-up treatment and a monthly recovery benefit for a defined period.
• Related expenses — accommodation abroad before and after, medical flight, funding of flights and companion expenses.

What changed in the October 2023 reform

Since October 2023, coverage for transplants and special treatments abroad has been defined as part of the basic tier of private health insurance. That means anyone buying a new private health policy first buys the basic tier, which includes coverage for transplants abroad, out-of-basket drugs, and surgery-alternative treatments abroad. We covered the tier structure in our guide to the health insurance reform.

Why it pays to secure coverage in advance

A transplant event can’t be planned, so it’s important that coverage is in force long before you need it. As with other coverage, watch the waiting period, the health declaration, and exclusions for pre-existing conditions. Transplants are also an example where holding two policies doesn’t necessarily double the coverage — see double insurance.

How Ravit can help

Whether your policy includes a transplant tier, the amount of the recovery benefit, and which related expenses are covered — all of this is 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. When there’s no certainty, Ravit says so and points you to confirm with your insurer.

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.