Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41987338›Full record

ArticleIsrael journal of health policy research2026

Health insurance literacy in Israel: gaps between knowledge and use in a universal healthcare system.

Reut Ron, Paula Feder-Bubis, Moriah E Ellen

Abstract read
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Article in Israel journal of health policy research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Reut RonDepartment of Health Policy and Management, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P. O. B. 653, Beer-Sheva, 8410501, Israel. rero@post.bgu.ac.il.
Paula Feder-BubisDepartment of Health Policy and Management, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P. O. B. 653, Beer-Sheva, 8410501, Israel.
Moriah E EllenDepartment of Health Policy and Management, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P. O. B. 653, Beer-Sheva, 8410501, Israel.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHealth Insurance Literacy (HIL) is critical for navigating healthcare systems and making informed insurance decisions. In Israel, which has a universal system with voluntary insurance, disparities in HIL may contribute to inequitable access. This study assessed HIL among diverse Israeli groups using a validated, culturally adapted, multidimensional tool.

methodsA nationally stratified sample of Hebrew-speaking and Arabic-speaking Israeli adults (1,012) completed an online cross-sectional survey in September 2024. A 75-item questionnaire combined an adapted Health Insurance Literacy Measure (HILM), self-reported assessments, and objective knowledge tests. Analyses (ANOVA, regression) examined relationships between demographics and HIL dimensions.

resultsHIL levels were moderate (mean HILM score: 2.39/4), with significant disparities across demographic groups. Non-Ultra-Orthodox Israeli-born Jews showed the highest literacy, while Arab and foreign-born Jews displayed lower comprehension. Key predictors included income, self-reported health, and insurance type (p < 0.001), while education was weaker than expected.

conclusionsFindings highlight systemic and cultural barriers to HIL in Israel and the need for targeted educational interventions, simplified communication tools, and culturally tailored programs. This study offers a framework for evaluating HIL in publicly funded systems and insights for other multicultural settings.

Indexed as

Health LiteracyInsurance, HealthUniversal Health InsuranceAdultAgedCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansIsraelMaleMiddle AgedSurveys and QuestionnairesDemographic disparitiesHealthcare equityHealth insurance literacyIsraelMultidimensional assessment

Identifiers

PMID41987338
PMCPMC13085595

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