After todays meeting at FiGs Coffee morning I hope I am able to clear up some confusion regarding the SGK,
In January we were informed that the people with residency would have to join the SGK scheme before 31 01 2012 but after talks with Turkish Authorities in Ankara and the British Consul there, those who do not wish to join the scheme are not now obliged to do so.
The people that signed up for SGK in January will be entered on the scheme ASAP but the SGK office is dealing with in excess of 8000 applications from expats alone so are struggling to put everyone on the system But hope to have everyone who registered on the computer by next week
To pay for your SGK you just need to go to a Turkish bank ask to pay SGK and give your kimlik number, the one starting 99
Its possible that anyone who tries to pay at the bank will not yet be on the system The SGK office and the banks haven't got their act together yet and some banks don't know what SGK is! But that should be ironed out next week , but you should try to pay before the end of the month when every application should be entered
Those that have been out of the country and haven't been able to apply can do so if they go to SGK ASAP on their return and register
After they take your payment you are entitled to free treatment at the state hospitals and GPs similar to NHS in Uk, and also reduced prescription charges and emergency or essential Dental treatment
I f you decide to go to a private hospital you pay the difference between the private cost and government price
You can apply for SGk only after living here for 1 year on residence Visa
Those people that registered before 31st Jan 2012 and now do not wish to take up the health insurance scheme should just not pay any money , you will be kicked off the scheme anyway! But if you decide to join later you will be charged all back payments from when you applied plus fines
Also If you are late in your payments The doctor will see you the first time But after that you either pay your late SGK payments or pay the full price
Any questions that I may have missed please ask and I will try to reply