Meuhedet Health Fund Offers Shortest MRI Waiting Times in Israel, Health Ministry Report Finds

A special report by the Israeli Ministry of Health has for the first time analyzed waiting times for surgeries in hospitals and MRI imaging tests across the country's health funds. The report highlights that the longest delay occurs between the approval of the MRI test by the health fund and the actual performance of the scan, while the approval process itself usually takes only a few days.

According to the report, the average waiting time from a doctor's referral to the MRI test varies significantly among the health funds: Clalit patients wait an average of 63.7 days, Maccabi 50.6 days, Leumit 46.4 days, and Meuhedet has the shortest wait at just 35.5 days. This marks a substantial difference, with Meuhedet leading in timely access to MRI diagnostics.

The report also notes a significant national investment in MRI infrastructure over the past decade, with the number of MRI machines in Israel increasing from only 10 in 2015 to over 70 in 2025, a 600% growth. Additionally, the volume of MRI tests has quadrupled, contributing to improved availability of imaging services, including in peripheral regions.

Meuhedet expressed satisfaction with the findings, stating that the official Ministry of Health report confirms their commitment to providing high availability and responsiveness for MRI testing. They emphasized the critical role of early MRI diagnostics in advancing patient care and saving lives.