Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Israel, Tel Aviv
Firas Fahum
31 years of experience
Clinic is certified :
Epilepsy treatment cost in Israel typically involves diagnostic tests like a sleep EEG, which runs $400 to $600, and surgical interventions such as deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery costing from $50,000 to $58,300. Total expenses depend on the seizure frequency, medication resistance, and the required surgical complexity. Patients can achieve 30-50% savings compared to the US. Top cities for specialized care include Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa.
Typical Epilepsy Treatment Costs in Israel
Bookimed Expert Insight: Patients with drug-resistant epilepsy benefit most from functional neurosurgery expertise at centers like Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov). Professor Itzhak Fried at Ichilov offers advanced brain mapping and modern management programs. For pediatric cases, Schneider Center for Children Medicine provides specialized neurology care for approximately 275,000 patients annually. Hadassah Medical Center is a premier choice for DBS, featuring Forbes-listed specialists like Dr. Zvi Israel. These JCI-accredited institutions provide high-value specialized care for complex neurological conditions.
| Israel | Turkey | Austria | |
| Vagus nerve stimulation | from $22,500 | from $12,000 | from $30,000 |
| Surgical treatment of epilepsy | from $34,050 | from $15,000 | from $30,000 |
| Deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery | from $50,000 | from $23,000 | from $45,000 |
| Stereotaxic surgeries | - | from $2,907 | from $25,000 |
| Stem cell therapy for epilepsy | - | from $10,000 | from $25,000 |
Specialized in pediatric epilepsy with advanced training in drug-resistant cases – Dr. Chernuha leads treatment at Dana-Dwek Children’s Hospital.
Prof. Zvi Cohen is Director of the Neurosurgery Department and the Neuro-Oncology Unit at Sheba Medical Center. He is a neurosurgeon and neuro-oncology expert. He was included in Forbes Israel’s Best Doctors 2025. He leads clinical research on drug therapies for malignant brain tumors. He also founded Sheba’s brain tumor tissue bank.
He is board-certified in neurosurgery. He trained at Tel Aviv University. He completed fellowships in neuroradiology at Beth Israel and in neurosurgical oncology at MD Anderson. His practice covers complex brain, pituitary, spine, and spinal cord tumors. He has expertise in stereotactic biopsies, image-guided resections, intraoperative MRI, navigation systems, and radiosurgery. He is a member of the Society for Neuro-Oncology and the Israeli Association of Neurological Surgeons.
Directs the Pediatric Neurology Unit at Sourasky Medical Center – one of Israel's top hospitals – with over 47 years of experience of clinical experience.
900+ epilepsy treatments performed – Dr. Firas Fahum evaluates cases and prepares customized treatment plans at Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov).
Written by Anna Leonova
Written by Ana Hurevska
Written by Anna Leonova
Sourasky Medical Center, Hadassah Medical Center, and Rambam Medical Center are Israel's premier facilities for epilepsy. These institutions utilize advanced technologies like the ROSA robotic system and MR-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (MRgLITT). They provide specialized drug-resistant seizure management for both adults and children.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Sourasky Medical Center serves over 400,000 patients annually and offers specialized epilepsy surgery packages starting around $34,050. Data shows high-value packages often bundle expensive diagnostics like sleep EEG and brain MRI. These inclusions can save patients significant time compared to booking tests separately after arrival.
Patient Consensus: Patients highlight that getting a second opinion is a standard and encouraged practice in Israel. Many note it is vital to ask about EEG monitoring wait times early to avoid delays.
Surgical options for drug-resistant epilepsy in Israel include resective surgery, neuromodulation, and minimally invasive laser ablation. Specialists at JCI-accredited centers like Sourasky Medical Center and Hadassah Medical Center use functional brain mapping and real-time MRI guidance to identify and treat seizure foci while preserving critical brain functions.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli neurosurgeons like Dr. Itzhak Fried and Prof. Zvi Israel often combine academic roles at institutions like UCLA or Yale with clinical practice in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. This high-level expertise is reflected in the specialized packages at Sourasky Medical Center, where a DBS procedure may cost approximately $58,300, while more targeted surgical treatments start around $34,050.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize that early phase 1 and 2 monitoring with video-EEG is essential for a precise diagnosis. Many note that working with specialized coordinators helps navigate the system quickly to avoid long wait times for surgical consultations.
Israel is a global leader in pediatric epilepsy. Expert teams at JCI-accredited centers like Sourasky and Hadassah manage complex cases. Specialists utilize advanced diagnostics including neurogenetics and video-EEG. Leading doctors often hold fellowships from top American and European institutions.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows Sourasky Medical Center serves over 400,000 patients annually. Its high volume allows for ultra-specialized care of rare syndromes. While Prof. Uri Kramer is highly requested, the clinic maintains a deep bench of experts. Dr. Veronika Chernuha often provides specialized consultations for drug-resistant cases when senior professors are unavailable.
Patient Consensus: Parents note that Israeli specialists offer much shorter wait times than centers in the United States. Many families appreciate that coordinators quickly organize comprehensive diagnostics and housing within just 5 days.
International patients must convert foreign prescriptions into a local script by consulting a licensed Israeli physician. Community pharmacies rarely accept foreign documents directly. You should visit private clinics or hospital-based specialists to obtain a hand-signed Israeli prescription for legal medication dispensing.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Bookimed data shows that for complex conditions like epilepsy, patients often choose all-inclusive surgical packages at centers like Sourasky Medical Center. These packages, ranging from $34,100 to $58,300, already include post-operative medications and doctor consultations. This effectively solves the prescription hurdle, as the clinical team handles all local paperwork and initial drug supplies for you.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is easier to have an Israeli doctor issue a new local prescription rather than dealing with the stress of potential medication confiscation at the airport. Many emphasize that hospital-based pharmacies are generally more reliable for filling specialized scripts than small community shops.