Meuhedet Leads Israeli Health Funds with Shortest MRI Waiting Times
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
The Israeli Ministry of Health report finds Meuhedet Health Services has the shortest MRI waiting times at about 35.5 days, outperforming other health funds. Increased MRI capacity nationwide has improved access and reduced delays, with Meuhedet highlighting the life-saving importance of early scans.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Meuhedet offers the shortest MRI wait time at 35.5 days from referral to scan.
- Clalit, Maccabi, and Leumit have longer average waits of 63.7, 50.6, and 46.4 days respectively.
- The longest delay is between MRI approval and the actual scan, not the approval itself.
- MRI machines in Israel increased from 10 in 2015 to over 70 in 2025, a 600% rise.
- MRI tests quadrupled in number, improving availability including in peripheral areas.
- Meuhedet stresses early MRI scans are crucial and often life-saving for patients.
A recent report by the Israeli Ministry of Health reveals that Meuhedet Health Services offers the shortest average waiting time for MRI scans among the country's health funds. The report shows that the average wait from a doctor's referral to the MRI procedure in Meuhedet is approximately 35.5 days, significantly shorter than other health funds: Clalit at 63.7 days, Maccabi at 50.6 days, and Leumit at 46.4 days.
The Ministry's report also highlights that the longest delay in the MRI process occurs between the approval of the test by the health fund and the actual scan, while the approval itself typically takes only a few days. Over the past decade, Israel has substantially increased its MRI capacity, growing from just 10 MRI machines in 2015 to over 70 in 2025, a 600% increase. This expansion has quadrupled the number of MRI tests conducted, improving accessibility, including in peripheral regions.
Meuhedet expressed satisfaction with the report's findings, emphasizing that the data confirms their commitment to providing timely access to critical diagnostic services. They noted that early MRI testing is a vital step for many patients and can often be life-saving. The report underscores the importance of continued investment in medical imaging infrastructure to reduce waiting times and enhance patient care nationwide.
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