Page 7 - CVC 2019 Brochure

APPOINTMENT ICU RESULTS
MEET SPECIALIST
MRS. NECHAMA NULMAN INSURANCE

medical department coordinator

Mrs. Nulman coordinates all aspects of medical logistics, including the activities of
Chaim V’Chessed staffers, healthcare providers and hospital representatives. She HOSPITAL
also circulates between Jerusalem hospitals, advocating for and offering a calming
presence to English-speaking patients and their families.
What types of medical inquiries do you deal with, and how?
The Israeli health care system is so new to foreigners. Inquiries range from regular,
everyday medical questions to life and death crises. Mrs. Wahrsager and I guide
callers on how to deal with kupat cholim issues and standard medical protocol, like
scheduling appointments, preparing for procedures, and accessing test results. We REIMBURSEMENT
don’t offer medical referrals; when patients reach out to us at square one, we direct
them to yo’atzim who can offer appropriate medical referrals, then have them call
back with a doctor’s name before we move forward. We also answer questions on
I’m a bochur learning in yeshiva in
medical insurance.
Eretz Yisrael, and I’m on medication.
The Israeli hospital is a world of foreign terms, policies and mentalities. Zevi and
Arele Weingarten and I circulate between Jerusalem hospitals, advocating I was busy with a problem with my
for patients and offering help and support. Mrs. Wahrsager keeps us updated on dosage for two weeks. No success. T hen
what’s going on at the office, so we stay in sync.
I picked up the phone to call Chaim
Can you give examples of cases you’ve helped with? V’Chessed. T he next day, I walked into
A sought-after surgeon comes to work in Israel only twice a year. He had operated
the pharmacy. T he pharmacist knew
on a child from Israel in the U.S., and the family wanted him to finish the second half
of the procedure on his next trip to Israel. We advocated for kupat cholim right away what I was talking about
coverage and helped secure an appointment with the doctor. and I walked out five minutes later

Another caller desperately needed a certain uncommon medication. Getting approval with a new dose. T hanks a lot for such
from his kupat cholim was taking too long. We were able to obtain samples for him so an amazing service.
that he could begin treatment.
We are constantly working to expedite critical appointments in hospitals. When
patients truly need their scheduled appointments sooner, either because of
intense pain, inability to function, or severe medical complications, we can often
help secure earlier appointments.
Sometimes it’s not about crisis. Even when a life is not at stake, we can offer callers
the honest reassurance that they are not alone.
Any advice you can offer to the English-speaking community?
Make sure your insurance coverage is always up to date. If you’re a visa holder,
stay on top of your family’s visas to keep your Bituach Leumi account active.
Misunderstandings are a recipe for headaches, so always get a clear answer
from the secretary or doctor before you walk away. And finally, if the answer is
no – whether you’re asking about reimbursement, coverage for a procedure, or a
service – try again. “No” might just mean that the person you spoke to first can’t
help you.