Health Ministry report reveals long wait times for MRI, surgeries at hospitals and clinics

Israeli public hospitals are facing criticism over lengthy wait times for essential medical services, according to two recent Health Ministry reports. The data reveals that patients often endure prolonged periods for MRI scans and various planned surgeries, with factors beyond the procedure itself influencing the delay.

In 2025, the average wait for an MRI scan was 55.1 days, but this figure masks significant variations. Half of patients waited longer than 35 days, and a quarter faced waits exceeding 80 days. Insurance providers showed stark differences, with Clalit members experiencing the longest average wait at 63.7 days, while Meuhedet members waited an average of 35.5 days. The approval process also varied dramatically, with Leumit taking 19 days for MRI approval compared to Maccabi's one day.

Surgical wait times are equally concerning. For cataract surgery in 2024, patients at Carmel hospital waited up to 202 days, while Laniado offered the procedure in just 22 days. Hernia repair surgeries saw waits of over 100 days at some hospitals, contrasted with just 13 days at Barzilai. Pediatric surgeries, such as myringotomies (ear tube surgeries), also showed month-long delays at facilities like Soroka, while others like Ichilov performed them in about seven days.

The reports also indicate that age and the specific type of scan or surgery impact wait times. For instance, children and older adults faced different waiting periods for MRIs, and breast scans took longer than musculoskeletal scans. These disparities underscore a complex system where access to timely medical care is influenced by a patient's insurance, location, and the specific hospital, raising questions about equitable healthcare delivery.