Universal Health Insurance in Turkey
Last updated 30th January 2012
Article Summary
New government healthcare laws have been passed which requires all Turkish citizens and eligible foreigners to make compulsory monthly payments.
For British and Irish citizens the scheme is voluntary, however for all other nationalities payments are compulsory if you meet the criteria; please see the section below to determine your eligibility. If you are eligible and do not register, a fine of 886TL will apply.In addition to the information here, if you are a British citizen we strongly recommend that you visit the British Embassy in Turkey website for the latest information.
Despite a lot of negativity relating to the introduction of this scheme, for many expats living in Turkey this scheme represents a great chance to benefit from an (almost) unlimited health cover scheme for a little over 200TL per month for a couple.
Article Contents
UHI - What is it?
In a nutshell, the Universal Health Insurance (UHI) (also known as SGK), scheme is a revision of the national Turkish healthcare system which aims to provide healthcare to everybody in Turkey. For Turkish citizens, it is predominantly paid for directly from salaries, with allowances and benefits made available to those earning under the minimum wage. It can be likened to the NHS in the UK.
History
The introduction of the UHI is compulsory for all Turks. The new system has also been opened for foreigners to join; in fact law 5510 states that all foreigners who meet the eligibility criteria must sign up, and also quoted a registration deadline of October 2010.
In September 2010 the UK embassy advised that the October 2010 deadline had been revised to December 2012, however foreigners who were eligible could still sign-up if they wished.
In January 2012 a new sign-up deadline of 31st January 2012 became apparent for both Turks and foreigners; again it was stated that all foreigners who met the eligibility criteria must also sign-up before the 31st January deadline to avoid a fine (around 886TL). This announcement probably shouldn't have been quite the surprise; the deadline was mentioned in a letter sent out by the government to all affected, however this letter wasn't received by many and is only now beginning to filter through.
The foreign community struggled to identify whether they were eligible, and whether they would be affected by the fine. Foreign embassies in Turkey largely remained quiet - it was clear that they were caught on the hop by this too, and that they were also struggling with the law's vague wording. Additionally those who ventured to the SGK offices were met by staff who were equally confused about the application for foreigners.
Shortly before the deadline; on the 25th January, 2012, the British embassy issued a statement on their website stating;
- The proposed Universal Health care scheme (and hence the payments) will NOT be compulsory for British citizens.
- British citizens who have started the process prior to the January 31st deadline may continue to join the scheme.
- British citizens who meet the eligibility criteria (prior to the 31st January deadline), who choose to join after the deadline of the 31st January will incur the fine and will be asked to make back-payments.
Other nationalities may follow the lead of the British embassy. As of the 30th January, the Irish embassy also confirmed that payments would not be compulsory for Irish citizens. For information about other nationalities, we advise you to seek the advice of your embassy.
Finally, it has also been confirmed that the 31st January 2012 deadline has now been amended to the 29th February 2012.
Eligibility criteria
There are two main requirements for foreigners to join the scheme;
- You must have held a Turkish residency permit for 1 year or more.
- You must not be entitled to a government health scheme in your home country (e.g. you no longer have an entitlement to NHS in the UK)
Please answer the following questions to determine your SGK eligibility: |
Cost:
- Around 200TL per month per married couple or individual (there is no single-person discount).
- Includes children as follows:
- includes unmarried children under 18 years old
- includes unmarried children under 20 years old if receiving education in high schools
- includes unmarried children under 25 years old if receiving higher education,
- includes unmarried children determined to be disabled as per the present Law, independent of age
- Includes children as follows:
Benefits:
- Free healthcare in state hospitals and clinics. Coverage includes most health problems including operations, treatments, and pregnancy, but excludes plastic surgery.
- Some private hospitals can still be used (at heavily discounted rates - typically 30%-70%).
Where to Apply:
You must apply for Universal Health Insurance at the “Sosyal Güvenlik Merkez Müdürlüğü” (Social Security Centre Directorate) office. In Bodrum this can be found on the main road between Oasis and the Konacik Junction, on the right hand side near "Trim & Slim". You will require your residence permit document, your Turkish ID number (Yabancı Kimlik Numarasi) and your passport.
How to Pay:
Premiums can be paid (automatically) monthly at any bank.
Disclaimer:
The questions and answers above are based on our best interpretation of information gathered up to the 30th January 2012. Unfortunately, due to the haphazard introduction of this scheme, as of the 30th January, we are unable to guarantee accuracy of the information contained here. The information is provided as a guide and you should seek more information at your local SGK office.