Know your rights! Below you will find the Pamphlet for the Soldier in Mandatory Service, prepared by the Headquarters of the Chief Medical Officer of the Health Services Department.
Medical Care Within Your Unit
In general, medical care for IDF soldiers is provided by the unit’s doctor. Soldiers serving on open bases are treated by the medical staff of the civilian Kupot Holim according to the current IDF medical arrangements.
Urgent Medical Care Outside Your Unit
If you are away from your unit and experience a medical problem that cannot wait until your return, you should visit the nearest Bikur Rofe clinic according to your location.
Please remember: Bikur Rofe clinics are intended to provide immediate medical care until you can return to your unit for continued treatment. They are not intended to treat ongoing medical conditions.
Emergency Room (ER) Treatment
IDF doctors and Bikur Rofe physicians are authorized to refer soldiers to an emergency room when urgent medical care is required. When referred, you will receive:
- An ER referral
- Budgetary authorization
After your visit, you must bring the hospital documentation back to your unit’s doctor so your treatment can continue. If you go to the emergency room without a doctor’s referral, you will be responsible for paying the cost of your visit.
You may request retroactive authorization (Form 119) from your unit’s doctor, but approval is granted only in exceptional cases. If your request is denied, you are responsible for paying the hospital directly.
Civilian Car Accidents
If you are involved in a civilian car accident and are taken directly to the emergency room:
- Obtain Form 119 from the hospital.
- Present the form, together with the police report, to your unit’s doctor in order to receive approval.
Visiting a Medical Specialist
A referral to a specialist is issued by your unit’s doctor as part of your medical evaluation and treatment. After receiving the referral, you are responsible for scheduling your appointment. Appointments are coordinated through the M’Kol Halev nationwide appointment center. When calling, have the following ready:
- Your Army ID
- Your referral
It is also your responsibility to:
- Inform your commander about the appointment.
- Arrive on time.
- Bring all relevant medical documents, records, and imaging.
After the examination, schedule a follow-up appointment with your unit’s doctor and provide the specialist’s findings. Don’t keep the results to yourself.
Activity Restrictions and Medical Exemptions (Ptorim)
Medical exemptions (Ptorim) and other accommodations are intended for exceptional medical situations or when additional medical protections are required. The purpose of an exemption is to protect the soldier’s health while clearly defining:
- Physical limitations
- Activities the soldier may continue performing
- Any restrictions related to the soldier’s position
Medical exemptions are considered part of your treatment and may only be issued by a doctor. They may be either:
- Temporary
- Permanent
Rest Days (Gimmelim)
Following a medical examination, the doctor may determine one of the following:
- Fit for duty according to your medical profile, with no additional limitations.
- Fit for duty according to your medical profile, with specific limitations (Betim).
- Unfit for duty and required to rest (Gimmelim) for the number of days determined by the doctor.
Gimmelim may be spent:
- At your unit
- At home
- At another location designated by the doctor
The doctor may also require you to attend medical examinations or treatments during your Gimmelim if medically necessary.
Contact Us
We welcome you to turn to us with any question or problem
M’Kol Halev center for soldiers
To make appointments and receive guidance and professional response from a representative, 24 hours a day.
Shortened dial: *6690
Army phone: 0333-9999
Civilian phone: 03-948-9999
For complaints and perach inquisitions: ext. 3
Mahut
center for support of victims of family violence, abusive relationships, sexual violence or pregnant soldiers.
Army phone: 0333-2600
Civilian phone: 03-948-2600
Bikur Rofe clinics
For addresses and hours: *6101
bikurofe.co.il
Magen David Adom ambulances
If you were referred to the ER by an MDA ambulance, you must provide MDA with a photocopy of your army ID and the financial debt forms by mail or fax.
Fax: 03-630-6005
Email: hayalim@mda.org.il
Other information can be found on the harap site on tzahalnet and the internet at refua.atal.idf.il