QUESTIONS & ANSWERS • UPDATED JUNE 2026

Everything mothers ask about
refunds & recovery stays

Short, clear answers to the most common questions — eligibility, claim window, documents, the companion, cesarean and timing. Every figure is dated and qualified, to be verified with your fund.

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How many recovery days is a new mother entitled to?
In most health funds a new mother is entitled to about 3 recovery days at a 75%–80% refund up to a daily ceiling, subject to supplementary insurance. After a cesarean — up to 5 days in some funds. Eligibility starts from the first birth in the upper tier and from the fourth in the lower tier. Accurate as of June 2026; verify with your fund.
Is a vacation apartment eligible for a health-fund refund?
Clalit, Leumit and Meuhedet usually accept a vacation apartment or cabin against a proper tax invoice in the mother's name. Maccabi requires a recovery institution or hotel registered with the Ministry of Tourism. Check your fund's requirements before booking. See the refund-by-fund guide.
How much do you get for a maternity recovery stay?
The refund is usually 75%–80% of the actual cost up to a daily ceiling of roughly ₪310 to ₪471, depending on fund and tier, over about 3 days (up to 5 after a cesarean in some funds). It is a partial refund, not full coverage. For a personal estimate, try the refund calculator. Approximate, accurate as of June 2026.
Until when can the recovery benefit be used?
In most funds up to about two months from birth or discharge. In Clalit Platinum, when funded from the pregnancy basket, sometimes up to 6 months. For 2026 some funds extended the window due to the situation — check the current deadline with your fund.
How do I claim a refund for a maternity recovery stay?
Pay for the stay, request an original tax invoice in the mother's name (and a separate invoice for the companion), collect a copy of the ID appendix with the children's names and a hospitalization/birth confirmation, and submit to your fund via its website, app or branch within the claim window. See the checklist and submission steps.
What do I need to receive a refund?
An active supplementary insurance, an original tax invoice in the mother's name listing the service recipient, and usually a copy of the ID appendix with the children's names and a hospitalization/birth confirmation. We issue a tax invoice in the mother's name; the refund amount is set by the fund's current terms and your supplementary insurance tier.
Does the companion get a refund too?
No — the refund covers the mother's portion only, not a companion or children. The companion's cost should appear on a separate invoice; we issue a separate invoice in the mother's name so the refund is calculated correctly.
Is an unemployed or non-working mother eligible?
Yes. The benefit depends on having active supplementary insurance, not on employment status. A non-working or unemployed mother is eligible as long as she has supplementary insurance at the relevant tier. The benefit is not from National Insurance and not from the basic health basket.
Is recovery available after a cesarean?
Yes, and sometimes for more days. In some funds (such as Leumit) the number of days after a cesarean rises to up to 5, and in Clalit Gold up to 5–6, with a possible extension in some cases. Details vary by fund — verify with yours. Accurate as of June 2026.
Does eligibility depend on the number of births or the number of children?
In most funds eligibility refers to the birth number, not the number of children, so twins count as one birth. In the upper tier eligibility is usually from the first birth, and in the lower tier usually from the fourth.

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The information on this page is general and does not constitute medical or insurance advice. Amounts, refund rates and claim windows are approximate, accurate as of June 2026 and updated periodically by the funds. For final confirmation, check with your own health fund according to your supplementary insurance tier and birth number. We do not guarantee a refund amount.

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