Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Israel, Tel Aviv
Michael Shapira
36 years of experience
Clinic is certified :
Diagnostic costs in Israel typically average between $3,800 and $6,500. For medical tourists, final costs depend on the specific test complexity, the facility level, and whether it's part of a package. Prices can be 30-40% lower than in the US.
Typical Diagnostics Costs in Israel
Leading diagnostic centers are located in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa. Consultation with a specialist helps clarify the final cost based on your specific diagnostic needs.
| Israel | Turkey | Austria | |
| Diagnostic laparoscopy | from $3,800 | from $1,800 | from $4,100 |
| Treatment of chronic pain after hernia surgery | - | from $2,500 | from $8,000 |
| Operation by doctor's recommendation | - | from $3,000 | from $3,500 |
No hidden fees – just official clinic prices. Pay at the clinic for Diagnostics treatment upon arrival and use a flexible installment plan if needed.
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Bookimed offers free expert assistance. A personal medical coordinator supports you before, during, and after your treatment, solving any issues. You're never alone on your Diagnostics treatment journey.
Dr. Almog Ben Yaacov is a senior surgical oncologist at Sheba Medical Center. He has performed over 200 HIPEC procedures for complex abdominal cancers. He focuses on treating gastric cancer, sarcoma, and colorectal malignancies. Dr. Ben Yaacov holds board certifications in both General Surgery and Surgical Oncology.
Dr. Einat Shacham Shmueli is a senior medical oncologist at Sheba Medical Center. She specializes in gastrointestinal cancers, treating the colon, stomach, and pancreas. Dr. Shacham Shmueli holds dual board certifications in oncology and gastroenterology. She trained at UCSF in the United States. Her clinic at Sheba Medical Center is ranked among the top 10 hospitals worldwide.
Dr. Zvi Cohen is the Director of the Neurosurgery Department at Sheba Medical Center. He was recently recognized in Forbes Israel’s Best Doctors list for 2025. Dr. Cohen specializes in treating complex brain, pituitary, and spinal cord tumors. He founded the brain tumor tissue bank at Sheba to support oncological research. Dr. Cohen is board-certified in neurosurgery and leads clinical trials for malignant brain tumors.
Dr. Alon Friedlander is a leading orthopedic spine surgeon listed among Israel’s Top Doctors by Forbes. He serves as the Director of the Orthopedic Department at Sheba Medical Center. Dr. Friedlander treats complex spinal disorders in both adult and pediatric patients. He uses both minimally invasive and open surgical techniques for precision care.
Israel offers superior medical diagnostic accuracy up to 91% by utilizing advanced AI-driven imaging and hybrid technologies. Patients access rapid 48-hour testing cycles that often correct previous diagnoses. High-tier facilities like Sourasky Medical Center and Sheba Medical Center provide world-recognized expertise under JCI-accredited standards.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli diagnostic protocols benefit from a unique volume-to-expertise ratio. At Sourasky Medical Center, specialists manage over 400,000 patients annually. This massive data flow allows their AI systems to identify strokes or embolisms faster than standard manual reviews. Patients choosing Tel Aviv for diagnostics essentially access a global research hub where doctors also serve as scientific innovators.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that the speed is life-changing, as they receive answers in days that took months to coordinate elsewhere. They appreciate the comprehensive approach where doctors spend significant time explaining logical treatment recommendations based on the new results.
Diagnostic processes in Israel typically take 3 to 7 business days for most international patients. Basic check-ups finish in 1 to 2 days. Complex oncology or cardiology evaluations require 5 to 10 days. Specialist consultations and advanced imaging are often compressed into a single week.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli hospitals like Sheba Medical Center offer a VIP track that can shorten diagnostics to 48–72 hours. To avoid delays, schedule your arrival for a Sunday or Monday. Local observances from Friday sunset through Saturday often halt non-emergency testing. This small scheduling shift prevents your timeline from extending unnecessarily over the weekend.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that the process is highly efficient but emphasize bringing translated medical records to avoid repeating basic tests. One patient highlighted that a comprehensive problem study and treatment plan were completed in just one hour during their appointment.
Israeli medical centers generally require new diagnostic tests upon arrival to ensure data accuracy and safety. While some imaging or biopsy slides may be reviewed as history, doctors often mandate fresh lab work. This ensures results meet specific local standards and laboratory calibrations at facilities like Sheba Medical Center.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data from top-tier facilities like Sourasky Medical Center shows that same-day diagnostics are standard. This efficiency means even if you must redo a complete blood count costing $100 to $100, it rarely delays your treatment timeline. Most diagnostic results are integrated into your electronic health record (EHR) immediately for the treating specialist to review.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that redoing tests is a standard part of the process and highly recommended for safety. They often suggest budgeting between 100 and 500 USD for these repeat diagnostics to avoid surprises during the initial consultation.
Language barriers in Israeli hospitals are manageable but require preparation for non-Hebrew speakers. Large centers like Sourasky Medical Center and Hadassah Medical Center have dedicated international departments. Most senior physicians, such as Dr. Michael Shapira, are fluent in English. However, support staff and administrative forms often rely on Hebrew.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Language support correlates strongly with patient volume and clinic type. Private facilities like Assuta Medical Center offer more personalized English assistance than crowded public departments. At Sourasky Medical Center, which serves 1,800,000 patients yearly, the sheer volume of international cases has led to more robust multilingual signage and coordination services.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that while surgeons speak English well, navigating the emergency room or nursing desk often requires a translation app. Many recommend bringing a bilingual friend or preparing written questions in advance to avoid 1 on 1 communication gaps during diagnostic tests.
Diagnostics in Israel are safe and precise due to regulated healthcare standards. Major centres such as Sheba Medical Center and Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) hold JCI accreditation. These institutions provide specialised support for international patients to deliver seamless care.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli clinics prioritise fast-track diagnostics for overseas patients to reduce travel time. For example, Dr. Zohar Dotan at Sheba Medical Center offers case reviews before arrival. This allows patients to complete complex screenings in days rather than weeks.
Patient Consensus: Patients note the medical service is excellent. They appreciate that doctors spend significant time studying problems comprehensively. They also value the support of experienced coordinators during their care in Israel.
Patients preparing for diagnostics in Israel must provide a medical history and current medication list. Previous CT, MRI, or PET scans should be supplied as physical discs or digital DICOM files. Lab results and a GP referral letter explaining the required tests are also essential.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Centres like Sheba Medical Center offer fast-track diagnostics where specialists review files before arrival. This process often includes molecular profiling or digital imaging. This cuts the time spent in Tel Aviv from weeks to just a few days.
Patient Consensus: Patients in Israel often note that doctors provide comprehensive hour-long consultations. They follow logical, evidence-based recommendations for treatment. The medical teams are frequently described as highly experienced and punctual.
Most international patients receive a full diagnostic assessment in Israel within 1 to 5 days. Initial consultations typically happen within 48 hours. Imaging and laboratory results generally arrive within 3 to 7 days. Specialist centres often schedule tests before arrival for speed.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli hospitals like Sourasky (Ichilov) and Sheba treat nearly 2,000,000 patients annually. This massive volume allows them to maintain on-site labs and specialised imaging departments. For Australians, choosing JCI-accredited facilities like Assuta Medical Center provides high efficiency. This ensures that diagnostic protocols meet international safety standards.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that Israel offers high-level service. Doctors take the time to study problems comprehensively. Local teams provide logical treatment recommendations and support throughout the process. This makes the diagnostic trip efficient and worthwhile.
Referrals are mandatory for public healthcare in Israel. However, they are usually optional for private diagnostics. Private clinics like Assuta Medical Center allow direct access to ultrasounds. Specialised imaging like an MRI or CT still requires a specialist referral. This is necessary to follow correct medical protocols.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli centres such as Sheba Medical Center prioritise speed for international cases. Private clinics often arrange specialist consultations and required scans within 24–48 hours. This is much faster than the public system. Patients can often bundle an initial consultation with same-day diagnostic imaging to save time.
Patient Consensus: Patients in Israel often find the private system highly efficient. One patient noted their doctor arrived exactly on time. The doctor spent an hour conducting a comprehensive review of their results.
English-speaking medical staff are widely available for diagnostics in Israel. Most specialists at JCI-accredited centres like Sheba Medical Center and Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) are fluent. Many doctors, including Dr Michael Shapira, have international training from institutions in the USA and Canada.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli diagnostic centres often operate as academic hubs. English is the primary language there for research and peer review. For instance, Sourasky Medical Center employs 2,200 doctors and performs 34,000 operations annually. This high volume of academic activity means specialists maintain high English proficiency.
Patient Consensus: Patients in Israel note that doctors are highly fluent. They spend significant time explaining results. However, language gaps sometimes occur with administrative or reception staff. Bringing English medical records helps keep consultations efficient and clear.
Diagnostic check-up packages in Israel provide complete health assessments through bloodwork, imaging, and specialist consultations. Leading centres like Sourasky Medical Center and Sheba Medical Center often finish these screenings in one day. Packages typically include metabolic panels and cardiovascular assessments. They also feature gender-specific screenings tailored to individual risk factors.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli hospitals like Sheba Medical Center treat over 1,900,000 patients annually. This massive scale allows them to offer fast-track diagnostic pathways for international visitors. Patients often receive comprehensive results and a specialist-designed treatment plan within 24 to 48 hours.
Patient Consensus: Patients in Israel value the coordinated experience where doctors spend significant time explaining results. They note that having multiple tests in one location makes the process efficient and stress-free.
A premium diagnostic program in Israel involves a comprehensive, 48-hour medical survey. It covers specialised imaging, laboratory testing, and specialist consultations. Leading JCI-accredited centres in Tel Aviv often tailor these surveys to specific patient profiles. They use high-precision tools like PET-CT and hybrid imaging to detect health risks early.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli hospitals like Sheba Medical Center often employ Forbes-listed doctors for these screenings. This high concentration of expertise means results are more than just data points. Leaders in oncology and cardiology review them for a depth of diagnosis rarely found in standard check-ups.
Patient Consensus: Patients value the efficient scheduling where doctors spend up to an hour personally explaining results. They noted it is essential for reports to be in English. An interpreter should also accompany every appointment in Israel.