Applying for Therapy through Kupat Cholim

Children grow and develop at unique rates, and developmental milestones are reached at different times by different children. However, marked delays or difficulties are cause for concern. These include speech or language delays; delayed motor development (such as crawling, walking, writing); difficulty in communicating; or difficulty in play and forming attachments with people in their environment. When a red flag arises, it is important that the child be evaluated in order to afford him or her the best services available. 

It is crucial to provide our children with optimal intervention while they are young and adaptable. The decisions and placement process may be difficult and time-consuming, yet the reward of seeing a child flourish and acquire new skills is immeasurable. The sooner we help our children, the smaller the gap will be between their development and that of other children their age.

Receiving an Evaluation and Therapy through Kupat Cholim

Sometimes children exhibit behaviors signifying ADHD, sensory issues, social and emotional delays, speech and language delays, or fine or gross motor delays that may necessitate therapy or/and special education school placement. An evaluation ensures that your child receives the appropriate therapy or placement in the proper educational setting. Many children who receive therapy can stay in their current school or gan. 

Below are the guidelines for applying for an evaluation and therapy through kupat cholim’s Child Development Center (Machon L’Hitpatchut Hayeled).

Identifying a Developmental Delay

As soon as you notice a delay in any area of your child’s development, bring it to the attention of your pediatrician. Check whether the child is indeed late or if it fits within the normal parameters of child development.

Although you may not notice a delay, your child’s ganenet or teacher may observe one and recommend an evaluation.

It is best to address issues as early as possible because the younger the child is, the easier it is to help them.

If the doctor or school suggests that intervention may be necessary in the areas of gross motor, fine motor, or speech and language, you will need to contact your kupat cholim’s Machon L’Hitptachtut Hayeled  to begin the application process.

Hitpatchut HaYeled Departments of Kupot Cholim in Jerusalem

Clalit: 02-545-7111
Leumit: 02-567-5111
Maccabi: 02-646-1900
Meuhedet:  02-630-2222

The Application Process

You will need the following items for the application. Read below for further explanation:

1. Hafnayah (referral) from your family doctor or pediatrician 
2. Questionnaire from your child’s ganenet or teacher (note: there are different forms for different ages)
3. Questionnaire for the parent 
4. Eye exam (if concerns relate to motor issues). The exam can be done by any kupat cholim eye doctor. Be sure to tell the doctor the purpose of the exam.
5. Hearing test (if concerns relate to language issues)

Referral from your doctor:

Make an appointment at your pediatrician and specify that it is for a referral for Hitpachut Hayeled. The doctor will ask you questions about your child’s development and issue a hafnayah (referral). At this time, request a referral for a hearing test and ask the secretary for a hitchayvut (payment authorization) for the test. The hitchayvut may have an expiration date.

Questionnaire forms:

You can obtain the necessary forms from Chaim V’Chessed (by fax or email), at your local kupat cholim branch or online. Follow up with the ganenet or teacher to ensure the forms are completed as soon as possible. 

Hearing test:

Contact your kupat cholim or Chaim V’Chessed for a list of places where hearing tests can be done.

Remember to bring the doctor’s referral and hitchayvut (if necessary) to the hearing test appointment.

Submitting the Paperwork

Once you have gathered all the paperwork together, make copies for your records.

If you have any additional documents relevant to your child’s development – such as reports from a neurologist, orthopedist, psychologist or another professional – include them with a short explanatory note.

Submit the forms to the Hitpatchut Hayeled department of your kupat cholim, either through internal mail (via your local branch) or by hand delivery. Check with the secretary that the forms were sent, then follow up with Hitpatchut Hayeled to ensure they were received. 

Some kupot cholim allow online submission of forms and documents.

As a parent, it is up to you to advocate for your child and make sure that the process is done as quickly as possible in order for your child to receive the necessary assistance.  

The Evaluation and Therapy Process

Machon L’Hitpatchut Hayeled should respond within ten working days of receiving the application. These departments are often overwhelmed, and paperwork may be misplaced. If you do not hear back, contact them.

You will then be placed on a waiting list for an appointment at Machon L’Hitpatchut Hayeled or a local clinic for the appropriate evaluation (speech and language, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychological, neurological or interdisciplinary). There may be a lengthy waiting period, which could impact educational placement opportunities.

Tips for the Evaluation Day

On the day of the evaluation, make sure your child is well rested, comfortable, and not hungry. This will help your child be at their best in order that they cooperate with the testing procedures.

Bring any medical reports or documents and be prepared to questions about your child’s development, medical conditions, hospitalizations, and overall history. 

Once the evaluation is complete, you will be informed whether your child is approved for therapy and which services they are entitled to. If you do not receive a written report within two weeks, contact Hitpatchut Hayeled or the clinic where the evaluation took place.

Once approved, you may choose where to receive the therapy — at Hitpatchut Hayeled, a local branch (snif), or at a machon hesder (authorized clinic).

Contact your specific Hitpatchut Hayeled office for a full list of available therapy locations.

Optimal Educational Placements

During the evaluation process or after your child begins therapy, professionals may recommend a different educational setting. Children ages three to six can benefit significantly from a modified setting to resolve issues and build foundational skills. There are placements in both Hebrew and Yiddish.

If your child needs a ganenet shiluv, gan safah, or any other special education setting, their ganenet or teacher must fill out forms from Misrad Hachinuch. These are passed to the relevant representative along with the evaluations from the kupah. After review, you will be invited to a placement meeting (va’adat afiyun v’zikaut – ועדת אפיון וזכאות). 

For help navigating the special education placement process, contact your child’s current ganenet/teacher/school advisor or Chaim V’Chessed.

Bituach Leumi Financial Assistance

If your child was born with a syndrome or later receives a diagnosis, you may be entitled to financial benefits from Bituach Leumi. The application and approval process is tedious. You may seek assistance from a hospital social worker, kupat cholim, or from Misrad Harevacha.

Visit the Bituach Leumi website at www.btl.gov.il for a complete list of benefits.

If Bituach Leumi denies your application, you should file an appeal, as decisions are sometimes overturned.

You may also contact Chaim V’Chessed for assistance with this process. 

Important note: A thorough and accurate evaluation is crucial for understanding and helping your child.  Evaluations can be both timely and costly. They may be conducted privately or through your kupat cholim. Many kupot cholim have highly qualified staff who provide professional, comprehensive assessments. Some parents choose private evaluations to access specialists in particular fields. Reimbursement may be available from your kupat cholim, but you must confirm eligibility beforehand.

Branches of Hitpatchut Hayeled in the Kupot Cholim in Jerusalem:

Clalit: Derech Beit Lechem 75 

Leumit: Rechov Yosef Trumpeldor 8

Maccabi: Binyan Klal – Rechov Agrippas 42