General
The Child Development Reform: The Second Wave Is Here - and What's Coming for Kids on the Spectrum
28.09.2026 · AUTIFACE
The reform eliminating reimbursements for private child development treatments is no longer just on paper. It launched in February 2026, and has been moving forward in stages ever since - leaving many families trying to figure out where they stand.
Where things stand today: In the first wave, starting February 1, 2026, reimbursements were cancelled for new patients under age 6 who are not on the autism spectrum, are not defined as somatic cases, and live in areas with available services. On August 1, 2026, the second wave took effect, expanding the change to all new patients who do not have an autism diagnosis and are not somatic.
What this means for our community: At this stage, children with an autism diagnosis are still within the reimbursement track. The upcoming waves - which are expected to affect new patients on the spectrum as well - are planned for the coming years, with the goal of fully eliminating the reimbursement mechanism by the end of the decade. It's important to note that the timelines have already changed several times, and the Ministry of Health has stated that each transition between stages will be reviewed before it proceeds.
Another important point is the definition of "existing patient": someone who received reimbursed treatment in the same area within the past year. Anyone who meets this definition is protected for a longer period.
But the gap between the plan and reality is significant. Ministry of Health circulars set a maximum wait time of three months for a diagnosis or the start of child development treatment. At a Knesset Health Committee hearing, data presented by the Research and Information Center painted a very different picture - especially in peripheral areas. For example, at Meuhedet, 85% of those waiting for speech therapy have been waiting more than three months.
At the same time, there have been reports of cases where health funds refused to approve parents' requests for private treatment with reimbursement, even though eligibility still exists. The Ministry of Health has established a monitoring committee that includes parent and nonprofit representatives, which meets every four months - and that's where these issues are supposed to be raised.
The bottom line: the reform has not eliminated the right to treatment. It's changing the path to it. But as long as public clinics are unable to meet the required timelines, it's the parents who are left waiting.
Where things stand today: In the first wave, starting February 1, 2026, reimbursements were cancelled for new patients under age 6 who are not on the autism spectrum, are not defined as somatic cases, and live in areas with available services. On August 1, 2026, the second wave took effect, expanding the change to all new patients who do not have an autism diagnosis and are not somatic.
What this means for our community: At this stage, children with an autism diagnosis are still within the reimbursement track. The upcoming waves - which are expected to affect new patients on the spectrum as well - are planned for the coming years, with the goal of fully eliminating the reimbursement mechanism by the end of the decade. It's important to note that the timelines have already changed several times, and the Ministry of Health has stated that each transition between stages will be reviewed before it proceeds.
Another important point is the definition of "existing patient": someone who received reimbursed treatment in the same area within the past year. Anyone who meets this definition is protected for a longer period.
But the gap between the plan and reality is significant. Ministry of Health circulars set a maximum wait time of three months for a diagnosis or the start of child development treatment. At a Knesset Health Committee hearing, data presented by the Research and Information Center painted a very different picture - especially in peripheral areas. For example, at Meuhedet, 85% of those waiting for speech therapy have been waiting more than three months.
At the same time, there have been reports of cases where health funds refused to approve parents' requests for private treatment with reimbursement, even though eligibility still exists. The Ministry of Health has established a monitoring committee that includes parent and nonprofit representatives, which meets every four months - and that's where these issues are supposed to be raised.
The bottom line: the reform has not eliminated the right to treatment. It's changing the path to it. But as long as public clinics are unable to meet the required timelines, it's the parents who are left waiting.
What this means for you
Does your child have an autism diagnosis? As of now, you are still entitled to reimbursements. If the health fund refuses, ask for the refusal in writing - and don't give up.
Pay attention to continuity of treatment. A gap of one year in the same area of treatment could remove your child from the "existing patient" definition.
Is autism suspected? Don't delay the diagnostic process. At every stage of the reform, what matters is the diagnosis.
Is your health fund not offering an appointment within three months? Submit a written complaint to the fund's complaints commissioner - and if that doesn't help, escalate to the Public Complaints Commissioner for the National Health Insurance Law at the Ministry of Health.
Keep every document: referrals, responses, dates. A year from now, that paper trail could be the difference between a reimbursement and paying entirely out of pocket.
Pay attention to continuity of treatment. A gap of one year in the same area of treatment could remove your child from the "existing patient" definition.
Is autism suspected? Don't delay the diagnostic process. At every stage of the reform, what matters is the diagnosis.
Is your health fund not offering an appointment within three months? Submit a written complaint to the fund's complaints commissioner - and if that doesn't help, escalate to the Public Complaints Commissioner for the National Health Insurance Law at the Ministry of Health.
Keep every document: referrals, responses, dates. A year from now, that paper trail could be the difference between a reimbursement and paying entirely out of pocket.
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