Phil, I'm not sure if there is, the guy who helped me fill in my forms and went along to the office with me is an official translator recommended by the British Consulate. He does these applications very regularly for Brits. Germans, Dutch etc. and told me the regulations about this scheme seem to be down to the SGK counter clerks interpretation. I had to write on my form that I did not have any private healthcare in my native country and sign accordingly. I guess that is the same as the UK where you can't be insured twice for the same thing.
Here is my understanding of the scheme, please understand that I'm certainly not an expert and if others correct any of the following then I will be delighted, but please only do so if you are absolutely certain of the facts, this way we may get a comprehensive understanding.
1, To apply to join SGK you need to have been resident for one year and you must join within the first 4 weeks of the first anniversary of your first years residency, failure to join in this time frame will incur a small fine and a requirement to pay back payments, I.e. if you apply after being resident for 18 months, you will have to pay a fine and six months back payment.
2 You do not have to join the SGK. you are allowed to Pay as yo go or have private insurance.
3. If you have filled in and signed the forms (as many did in the early days of the scheme to avoid the threat of a fine) then you are in the SGK scheme regardless whether you have paid any payments or not. If you haven't made any payments, you owe the money back to the date of your application.
4. Once you apply and have been accepted for SGK you are effectively locked in, the only conditions to exit the scheme are: you surrender or fail to renew residency. you become a Turkish Citizen, you marry and become dependent on a Turkish National, you die.
5, The cost of the scheme is 234.86 TL per month. This premium covers a family, married couple or single person. If you live together without being married you will both have to pay the monthly premium. To prove your marital status, you need to have your marriage certificate translated and notarised.
6, Cover. 100% of the cost of treatment carried out in a state hospital is covered by SGK. if you choose a private hospital (like Esnaf or Letton) the majority of the treatment cost will be met by SGK but you will be required to make a contribution. Emergency dentistry is included but not cosmetic procedures. I also understand that the cost of any medicines prescribed by a doctor are included in the scheme, can someone who uses SGK when obtaining medicine please clarify.
7, Pre existing medical conditions are covered under SGK.
Any further points, amendments and clarifications would be helpful.
