blog.cat.rights7 min read8/16/2026

The Medical Committee Reduced Your Disability Rating: How to Appeal Without Missing the 60-Day Window

A reduction in the medical disability percentage or degree of incapacity is not the end of the road, but you must quickly identify which decision you are appealing and through which track. For general disability, the process begins with a reasoned appeal to the National Insurance Institute, proceeds to a Medical Appeals Committee, and, on a question of law only, to the Regional Labor Court.

Numbers and facts

•60 days to appeal a general disability decision
•Form 7810 for an appeal concerning medical disability or incapacity
•60 days to appeal an Appeals Committee decision to the Regional Labor Court
•30 days to appeal a work disability decision
•30 days to appeal to the National Labor Court

The Clock Starts With the Written Notice

The most important document at the outset is the written notice of the decision, because the date it is received starts the count of days. Keep the notice, the decision, and the protocol, and document when they were received; if they were sent by mail, keep the envelope as well. Review the protocol against the medical documents submitted and check which impairments were recorded, which arguments were not addressed, and whether the decision concerns the medical disability percentage, the degree of incapacity, or both. A common mistake is to wait for an additional medical document and, in the meantime, lose valuable time for filing the appeal.

The First Step: A Reasoned Appeal Within 60 Days

To appeal a general disability decision, you must apply in writing to the National Insurance Institute branch in your area of residence within 60 days of receiving the written notice. You may use Form 7810, which is intended for an appeal against a certified physician’s decision concerning the medical disability percentage and against a claims officer’s decision concerning the degree of incapacity. It is not enough to write that the decision is unfair: you should systematically identify the impairment, document, or limitation that was not reflected in the decision. Attach the decision and the documents on which the grounds are based, and keep confirmation that the appeal was delivered or received.

What to Present to the Medical Appeals Committee

The Appeals Committee reviews the appeal against the medical decision, so focused grounds are more useful than a disorganized pile of documents. You can prepare a short list for each impairment: what was determined, what is argued in the appeal, and which document supports it. If the dispute concerns the degree of incapacity, it must be distinguished from the medical disability percentage, and the two decisions should not be conflated. Before the hearing, make sure that the committee has received all the material and keep an identical copy of everything submitted.

After the Appeals Committee: The Court Reviews Law, Not Medicine Anew

The decision of the Medical Appeals Committee on general disability is final on medical matters. It may be appealed to the Regional Labor Court within 60 days of receiving the notice, but only on questions of law. The court is therefore not another medical committee and is not asked to select an appropriate disability percentage itself; the arguments must identify a legal defect in the manner in which the decision was reached or reasoned. The appeal is filed in writing, and the Judicial Authority’s online service and form may be used; an unrepresented person may file documents at any Labor Court in Israel, and they will be forwarded to the competent court.

Not Every National Insurance Institute Decision Is Subject to the Same Deadline

The National Insurance Institute’s general page specifies a deadline of 12 months for appealing a National Insurance Institute decision to the Regional Labor Court, but a specific rule of 60 days applies to a decision of a Medical Appeals Committee on general disability. Other medical tracks also differ: an appeal concerning work disability has a deadline of 30 days from the written notice, while a deadline of 60 days applies to victims of hostile actions. You must therefore use the heading of the decision to identify whether it concerns general disability, work disability, victims of hostile actions, or another decision. A judgment of the Regional Labor Court concerning a National Insurance Institute decision may be appealed to the National Labor Court within 30 days of receiving the judgment, with a copy of it attached.

FAQ

When does the 60-day period for filing a general disability appeal begin?

The period begins on the day the written notice of the decision is received, not necessarily on the day the committee convened. It is therefore important to retain documentation of the date of receipt and not rely solely on memory.

Can I appeal both the disability percentage and the degree of incapacity?

Yes. Form 7810 is intended for an appeal against a certified physician’s decision concerning the medical disability percentage, a claims officer’s decision concerning the degree of incapacity, or both. The grounds concerning medical issues should preferably be separated from those concerning capacity for work.

Can the Labor Court award me a higher disability percentage?

An appeal against a Medical Appeals Committee decision is limited to questions of law. The court does not serve as another medical committee, so the notice of appeal must focus on a legal defect and not merely on disagreement with the medical conclusion.

Is a lawyer required to file an appeal?

An appeal may be filed independently, including through the Judicial Authority’s online service. An unrepresented person may file the documents at any Labor Court in Israel, and it is possible to check eligibility for legal aid from the Ministry of Justice.

Is the deadline for appealing a work disability decision the same as for general disability?

No. According to the National Insurance Institute, an appeal against a medical decision concerning general disability must be filed within 60 days, while for work disability a deadline of 30 days from receipt of the written notice is specified. You must follow the track stated in the specific decision.

What to do next

Immediately upon receiving the decision, record the date of receipt, collect the notice, protocol, and medical material, and compare them. For general disability, a written, reasoned appeal must be prepared within 60 days, and confirmation of filing should be retained; after the Appeals Committee, separately assess whether there is a question of law that justifies applying to the Regional Labor Court.