This article reviews all types of insurance currently available, presents the current situation, and outlines possible ways to “bypass” some of the obstacles faced by people living with HIV.
Health Insurance
Currently, Harel Insurance accepts people living with HIV for private health insurance (with no added premium but with an exclusion for any case directly caused by HIV).
What can be done?
It is highly recommended to join group health insurance plans, usually offered via employers, which often allow a 90-day open enrollment period without requiring a health declaration.
The main advantage of group policies, aside from eligibility, is that after a relatively short waiting period (1 year if under age 65, 6 months if over 65), they also cover pre-existing conditions without exclusions.
If you leave your job for any reason, it is advised to convert your policy to a private one (preferably immediately, but no later than 3 months after termination). Although the cost will likely be higher, it will preserve the continuity and coverage without needing to submit a new health declaration.
Travel Insurance
This is the most rapidly changing field. Most companies currently require the purchase of coverage for the worsening of a pre-existing condition, significantly raising the policy cost (even though the chance of deterioration in a well-treated undetectable individual is low).
What can be done?
Because the terms change frequently, it is recommended to compare providers.
Currently, only Clal’s online travel insurance (available to Clalit and Maccabi HMO members) does not ask about chronic medication use but only about condition worsening in the past 6 months. Therefore, if no such worsening occurred, it is possible to buy coverage without disclosing HIV status or paying extra.
For purchase via Clalit: Clalit Travel Insurance
For purchase via Maccabi: Maccabi Overseas Insurance
Additionally, PassportCard is more expensive but covers people living with HIV without added cost.
Disability Insurance (Loss of Work Capacity)
Part of pension contributions go toward this insurance, which usually requires a health declaration. Unfortunately, no company currently accepts people living with HIV privately.
What can be done?
The state-approved default pension funds are obligated to accept everyone without a health declaration, including for disability insurance. After 5 years, the policy will also cover pre-existing conditions. If you leave your job, it's essential to continue contributing to your pension independently until starting a new one, to preserve your insurance continuity.
Long-Term Care Insurance
No longer sold except via HMOs, which currently do not accept people living with HIV.
What can be done?
If you already have long-term care insurance—do not cancel it.
Personal Accident Insurance
Available under standard conditions for all individuals.
Critical Illness Insurance
Currently, only Harel accepts people living with HIV, but at double the standard premium.
What can be done?
Insurance agents can apply significant discounts (50% or more) to the policy, substantially reducing costs.
Private Pension Plans
Usually declined unless part of a group/employer plan. After 5 years, the coverage becomes valid for all purposes.
What can be done?
Joining via a default pension fund will include insurance coverage.
Life Insurance / Mortgage Life Insurance
Most companies now accept people living with HIV. Until recently, all of them added an HIV-related underwriting surcharge, raising the premium by 2–3 times. Recently, Harel changed its policy and now accepts undetectable individuals under the same conditions and price as HIV-negative individuals.
What can be done?
As long as Harel is the only company that insures people with HIV without an extra surcharge, it is likely the cheapest. However, significant price differences exist between companies, so it is advisable to compare. Direct insurers like AIG and Direct Insurance (Bituach Yashir), which do not work through agents, may offer lower premiums, so it’s worth contacting them as well.
Insurance Purchased Before HIV Diagnosis
Still valid and highly recommended to maintain, as such coverage is no longer attainable today.
What can be done?
There is no obligation to update the insurance company about health status changes.
High Premiums
It’s worth negotiating with your agent and providing a 5-year medical summary.
Discrimination Based on Mode of HIV Transmission
It is illegal to deny insurance based on how HIV was acquired (e.g., favoring those infected via blood transfusion).
Withholding Medical Information
Can be grounds for claim denial. Not recommended.
Credit Card Insurance
Credit card companies are not allowed to share information with insurers. The situation is less clear when the insurance is sold by the credit card company itself (such policies are not recommended). Sharing such information with third parties is a criminal offense.
This information is accurate at the time of writing and does not constitute legal or professional advice.