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Rehabilitation & Mobility Devices

Rehabilitation & Mobility Devices

27 December 2023

Older adults aged 65 and over are eligible for rehabilitation and mobility devices from the Ministry of Health, either with full funding or with a low copayment.

The process of obtaining assistance consists of several stages:

  1. Contacting the HMO with a request for approval for participation in purchasing the device
    For applying for a mobility device, the doctor will complete a medical-functional form (HE), which will be submitted with the aim of obtaining a recommendation for participation.
    To apply for a rehabilitation device, contact the relevant professional unit at the HMO to obtain a recommendation.
  2. Submitting the application to the health bureau
    A request for a mobility device is submitted by the HMOs.
    A request for a mobility device for people aged 70 and over will be submitted by the HMOs to an external company.
    A request for a mobility device should be submitted to the Departments of Long-Term Care and Rehabilitation.
  3. The process of discussion and decision-making at the committee
    The committee will discuss the application according to the submitted documents and decide whether to approve or reject it.
    You will receive a letter containing the committee's decision and the reasoning behind it.
  4. Obtaining the device after the approval
    After obtaining approval from the Ministry of Health, you will receive written guidelines for obtaining the device. It is important to note that the guidelines vary according to the type of device.

Important facts regarding the eligibility approval

  • Eligibility approval is valid for only six months after the date of issuance
  • Upon receiving the device, you will be required to sign an obligation form and a promissory note
  • The device must be returned once its use has concluded

Eligibility of older adults over 65 to get rehabilitation and mobility devices

Older adults aged 65 and over, are eligible for rehabilitation and mobility devices with the Ministry of Health’s full funding or with a low copayment, according to medical recommendations and the decisions of the committee.

What are the available mobility and rehabilitation devices? Click here for comprehensive information

Eligible for assistance

  • Older adults who experience a permanent disability, reside in the community, and are ineligible for medical services from other sources
  • Holocaust survivors who are unrecognized by the Ministry of Finance
  • People who experience a permanent disability and are hospitalized in nursing institutions, hospitals, or the Ministry of Welfare’s institutions, will be eligible only for the following rehabilitation and mobility devices:
    • Walking devices
    • Limb prosthesis
    • Supporting and substitutional communication system

Eligible for exemption from copayment

  • Individuals who receive old age benefit as well as income support.
  • Individuals who receive survivors benefit as well as income support.
  • Individuals who receive a full disability benefit for a single person.
  • Individuals who receive a full disability benefit for a married person, including a family supplement.
  • Individuals who receive income support.
  • Individuals who receive a disability benefit as a housewife.
  • Righteous gentiles.
  • Individuals and their families whose net income does not exceed the combined amount of an old-age benefit and income support based on the family's composition.

Not eligible for assistance

  • Individuals without a permanent disability who do need the devices permanently.
  • Individuals who are eligible for medical services from other sources: disabled of the IDF and the Ministry of Defense, hostile action disabled, workplace injury victims, and victims of Nazi actions (not including holocaust survivors who were not recognized as such).
  • Individuals hospitalized in nursing institutions or hospitals.
  • Disabled people staying in institutions under the responsibility of the Ministry of Welfare.
  • People injured in car accidents until the resolution of the lawsuit with the insurance company.

Obtaining assistance – step by step

Contacting the HMO with the purpose of seeking approval to participate in the purchase of a mobility device (wheelchair, walking aids, etc.): if you need a mobility device, the first step is referring to your family doctor in the HMO. The doctor will complete a medical-functional form (HE), and this will be forwarded to a physiotherapist or an occupational therapist for obtaining a recommendation for participating in funding a mobility device.

For requesting a rehabilitation device (alternative communication support equipment, a breast prosthesis, or a prosthetic eye): If you require a recommendation for a rehabilitation device, it is recommended to contact the relevant professional department within the HMO.

It is important to point out

  • A recommendation is not an eligibility approval
  • A final approval will be obtained by the Ministry of Health
  • Applications for mobility devices are submitted by the HMO eliminating the need for independent application submission
  • Applications for mobility devices for individuals aged 70 and over will be forwarded by the HMOs and handled by the Ministry of Health through an external company
  • Application for rehabilitation devices should be submitted to the device coordinator in the health bureau in your area of residence, in the Departments of Long-Term Care and Rehabilitation, or through the 'Kol Habriut' Hotline 

The committee will discuss the applications according to the submitted documents and decide whether to approve or reject them.
A letter will be sent containing the committee's decision and the reasoning behind it. Additional guidelines, if necessary, will be provided for the remaining steps of the process.

After receiving approval from the Ministry of Health, you will receive written instructions for obtaining the device. It is important to note that the instructions vary according to the type of device.

Important information regarding eligibility approval and the mobility device

  • Act without delay: the eligibility approval remains valid for a period of six months starting from the date of issuance. In the event that the approval is not utilized within this timeframe, a new application will be required.
  • Required signatures: upon receiving the device, you will be required to sign a commitment form to return the device, as well as a promissory note.
  • Returning the device: the device must be returned upon termination of use or receiving an alternative device, upon transitioning to a nursing home, or in the unfortunate event of death.

Filing an appeal and complaints

Filing an appeal and complaints

How to return a device upon termination of use

  • Electric beds, levers, motorized wheelchairs, and mobile stair caterpillars, supplied until December 31, 2013, will be collected by the Ministry of Health. The family is requested to submit a device return request to the Ministry of Health through the 'Kol Habriut' Hotline, specifying the reason for the return. A date will be arranged for a representative from the Ministry to visit the family's residence and collect the device
  • Additional equipment, such as manual wheelchairs and commodes, which were supplied until December 31, 2013; there is no obligation to return it. People wishing to return them should contact the 'Kol Habriut' Hotline.
  • All types of devices which were provided by authorized suppliers who have won a tender starting from January 2014: the family will forward the supplier a request to return the device, specifying the reason for the return. The authorized supplier will arrange a date to collect the device from your place of residence. Simultaneously, a letter will be sent to you from the Ministry of Health with information and guidelines regarding your obligation to return the device. If required, you can contact the health bureau through the 'Kol Habriut' Hotline.