A yeshiva bochur who spent 48 hours in an Israeli military prison after being detained over his status with the IDF discovered weeks after his release that he was unable to receive medical services through his health fund or purchase medications through his coverage.

According to a report by Kol Chai, the young man was detained unexpectedly because of his status with the military authorities and transferred to a military prison. He was released after two days.

Approximately four weeks later, he went to his health clinic to undergo medical testing. According to the bochur, the doctor informed him that his account had been blocked in the system and that she was therefore unable to provide the requested service.

He also said that he was unable to purchase medications for himself at the pharmacy through his health fund coverage.

A summary of the medical visit reportedly documented the problem explicitly.

“Was in military prison, released four weeks ago. Not eligible for health fund services — visit cannot be documented. Must complete a breath test through the IDF,” the document stated.

The case has raised questions about the civilian consequences that can result from information transferred by the IDF to government agencies, particularly when an individual has already been released from military custody but continues to be listed in government systems under a military status.

Leumit Health Services, the health fund through which the young man is insured, said that responsibility for determining his official status does not lie with the health fund.

“The issue of the applicant’s status is not under Leumit’s responsibility, but rather that of the National Insurance Institute,” Leumit said in a statement.

The National Insurance Institute, meanwhile, said that its records were based on information it received directly from the IDF.

“The National Insurance Institute received a report from the IDF that he has been serving as a soldier since August 13, 2026. Accordingly, during the period of military service, medical services are provided through the IDF,” the agency said.

The National Insurance Institute added that it had not received any notification identifying the young man as a deserter and stressed that it had not independently taken away his health benefits.

“We did not receive any notification about desertion. We do not deny rights to anyone; we operate according to the law, based on the names reported to us by the IDF,” the agency said.

The responses indicate that although the bochur had been released from military prison approximately four weeks earlier, the IDF had continued to report him to the National Insurance Institute as an active soldier. Under that classification, responsibility for his medical care would rest with the IDF rather than his civilian health fund.

The result, according to the report, was that when the young man subsequently sought civilian medical care, he found himself unable to receive treatment through his regular health fund and unable to obtain medications through its pharmacy coverage.