Calis Beach and Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum

Turkey Related Subjects => Turkey Discussion Forum (Not Calis specifically) => Topic started by: tribalelder on December 08, 2010, 06:33:47 AM

Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: tribalelder on December 08, 2010, 06:33:47 AM
Reading in Fethiye Times this morning the article on health insurance.
Correct me if I am wrong but I thought previous information on the subject indicated that the monthly fee of about 180 TL covered immediate family i.e. spouse and children. This recent article indicates to add spouse will increase the fee to 250 a month and one will assume further increases for children. I have no issue with what you get for your money it is just the rules seem to have changed:(
Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: Rindaloo on December 08, 2010, 08:20:49 AM
Hmm, we were in the Vakif Bank yesterday and were told 180Tl covered us both and the 250Tl quoted was a 'typo'.  But, We will see what develops when we take the form back.
Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: Firo on December 08, 2010, 08:31:29 AM
Some one who has already signed up said that they are paying 250tl (husband and wife). When they questioned the difference they were told it was 190tl for Turkish Nationals and guess what....250tl for all others. Well what a suprise.  :o
Exactly the same cover for both.
One day things may change but I'm not holding out too much hope it will be any time soon...:(
Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: Scunner on December 08, 2010, 09:05:18 AM
This fella seems happy with it: http://www.fethiyetimes.com/expat-zone/security/6409-universal-health-insurance-a-reader-writes.html
Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: stoop on December 08, 2010, 10:51:46 AM
Seems not too bad for just over £50 per month each if you are a couple. Maybe the difference is down to the fact ex-pats cannot work so cannot pay into the national insurance system? Just a thought but it might explain the £25 per month extra.

I suppose if I were a Turkish citizen who had worked all my life and paid into the system that I might be a little annoyed if some foreigner moved here and got the same cover for the same cost as myself.
Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: Highlander on December 08, 2010, 11:16:28 AM
Stoop - I agree wholeheartedly with the second part of your post.
Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: loz on December 08, 2010, 12:13:40 PM
Stoop I changed a few details in your quote,  and remember that the NHS is free (At the moment).

quote:
Originally posted by stoop


I suppose if I were a UK citizen who had worked all my life and paid into the system that I might be a little annoyed if some foreigner moved here to the UK and got the same cover for  as myself.



The Turkish health insurance will be an interesting one to watch, will it rise in the future as more of the retired ex-pats have a need to tap into the system and they start to drain the resources.  how many can the majority of the Turks afford the luxury of 180+TL out of their meagre pay?  
Should make interesting reading 5 years down the line.
Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: stoop on December 08, 2010, 12:25:09 PM
Loz - the NHS is not free! It's paid for through Tax contributions. That's why so many Brits get annoyed when others come to our country and get free health-care having not paid a penny towards it.
Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: loz on December 08, 2010, 12:54:36 PM
Stoop I beg to differ, the ones that work have paid through age their packet, the many millions that have never worked it is free, the many millions of foreigners that come to live here and claim it is free, the many thousands of illegal immigrants it is free.
The NHS will never turn anyone away who needs it, there lies the difference.
Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: stoop on December 08, 2010, 13:36:49 PM
It's not free though is it?
Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: kenkay on December 09, 2010, 01:12:10 AM
quote:
Originally posted by stoop

It's not free though is it?

No, far from it Stu and it's about time it started turning some sponging gits away[:(!]
Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: kenkay on December 09, 2010, 01:22:47 AM
Got me bloody going now [:(!] From my early thirties I was lucky (or diligent) enough to hold down jobs where my employers afforded me private medical cover, BUPA, AAA or similar. Hence any medical procedures that I or my family required were carried out at zero cost to the state. So I continued to pay my full NI contribution and they knocked about 460 quid a year of my personal tax allowance for the privilege of saving THEM money. Welfare state my ******* **** [:(!]

[EDITED]
Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: Tykatem on December 09, 2010, 10:38:27 AM
quote:
Originally posted by kenkay Welfare state my ******* **** [:(!]

Why not pack up and leave instead of whingeing :D
Pete
Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: Scunner on December 09, 2010, 10:41:19 AM
Can members please remember that CBF is read by people of all ages - starring out one letter of a potent swear word isn't acceptable, thanks.
Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: Ian on December 09, 2010, 12:46:27 PM
KK - I call that selfish - when you were 30 you were probably extremely fit - body a temple and all that and low risk but now you are not so toned - you high risk and I suspect you are dependent on the state once again  ;)

Some people - take take take........:D :D :D


quote:
Originally posted by kenkay

Got me bloody going now [:(!] From my early thirties I was lucky (or diligent) enough to hold down jobs where my employers afforded me private medical cover, BUPA, AAA or similar. Hence any medical procedures that I or my family required were carried out at zero cost to the state. So I continued to pay my full NI contribution and they knocked about 460 quid a year of my personal tax allowance for the privilege of saving THEM money. Welfare state my ******* **** [:(!]

[EDITED]

Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: Rindaloo on December 10, 2010, 16:22:13 PM
quote:
Originally posted by tribalelder

Reading in Fethiye Times this morning the article on health insurance.
Correct me if I am wrong but I thought previous information on the subject indicated that the monthly fee of about 180 TL covered immediate family i.e. spouse and children. This recent article indicates to add spouse will increase the fee to 250 a month and one will assume further increases for children. I have no issue with what you get for your money it is just the rules seem to have changed:(



Went in to Vakif Bank today with all necessary paperwork for registering husband for SGK.  The English speaking chap there, Cem, told us that 183Tl would cover both of us for any hospital.  If we want to go to Esnaf, we will just pay extra per visit.  I think we will have to make our 1st payment in a month and after that I will then be able to register also, but not pay any more money.  183Tl IS for both of us.  I will report back if I find out anything further.
Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: Ian on December 10, 2010, 16:43:11 PM
Rindaloo - if that is correct (and I hope it is) then that does sound like a very good deal - fingers crossed  :)

Will be interested to hear your update.

Many thanks - Ian
Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: geordieboy on December 13, 2010, 21:31:18 PM
I popped in for the form for the insurance and was informed that fee for husband & wife together is 183 tl.
They require a copy of the males passport,copy of residency permit,tax number,and Turkish ID no.
Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: Ian on December 13, 2010, 22:05:20 PM
That must be good news for a lot of couples - less than £80 a month sounds a good deal to me particularly if you have any history / chronic / ongoing conditions.

Probably not popular with single people though?

Ian
Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: quackers on December 15, 2010, 07:41:33 AM
We already have SGK/Bagkur and it costs us 245tl a month. We have used it at Esnaf and it cost us 27tl to see a specialist and a huge reduction on the cost of my husbands operation. The 180tl is for SSK and applies to working turkish and is what the boss pays for his staff, so we are told. The 245tl SGK/Bagkur is for expats and retired Turkish or Turkish who can afford to pay for it.We also pay 20% of the cost of any medication that is on a prescription signed by a doctor. These prescriptions can be obtained from any Saglik Clinic (Not Poliklinic) for ongoing medicines, like diabetic medication.There seems to be 1 clinic in every village/area.You need to take your Residency/Nufus number with you to the pharmacy to obtain these discounts. So far it works for us.
Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: sheila dickinson on December 15, 2010, 10:24:44 AM
we understood the higher price of 245 TL gave a pension in 15 years time
the lower price of 183 tl covered both husband & wife, we are waiting for ours to come back so we will see
Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: geordieboy on December 15, 2010, 20:49:06 PM
What,you going to wait 15 years to see if you get a pension?.
Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: quackers on December 16, 2010, 13:10:43 PM
No chance got better things to do with my time. I shall enquire as to the difference between the two prices. If it proves there are 2 prices for Bagkur I shall insist on the reduced rate and a refund. Watch this space for the outcome.
Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: quackers on December 17, 2010, 09:11:04 AM
I understand that the pension part is attached to SSK which is what the working Turkish pay, a bit like Uk's Income Tax and Nat Insurance contributions you pay through your wages. So we won't be getting a pension from our Bagkur payments.
Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: Rindaloo on December 17, 2010, 09:23:07 AM
My understanding is that SGK is 183Tl and doesn't give us a pension.  Questions still exist (with us) as to whether it covers us for 'free' treatment at Devlet (and paying a top-up for treatment at Esnaf), which (I hope) we clarify when we go back to Vakif Bank to register me in about 3 weeks, once my husband's registration is established.  Too many different stories circulating, need to settle things.
Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: geordieboy on December 19, 2010, 11:13:20 AM
I submitted the form last week and was informed by the guy down there that once the fee had been paid at the bank I had to wait for a month then I could go into hospital,obviously thought I was in need of attention. :).
Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: Rindaloo on December 22, 2010, 16:09:28 PM
OK, this is new news.  It seems if you have Residence Permit you can register for the same healthcare as the Turks, with NO monthly payment.  I am not sure where you will need to go and wonder if you will need to register at the Devlet.  It seems this will render any discussion on SGK or SSK redundant.  As I say, this is new news and I hope someone will be able to fill out the details for you.
Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: Firo on December 22, 2010, 16:18:11 PM
Is that free treatment just at the local clinic or does it include the State Hospital too?
We know that our Turkish teacher and her hubby pay to get State hospital treatment,about 190tl per month, so even the Turks don't get it for free...
More confusion I think...[?]
Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: Rindaloo on December 22, 2010, 16:26:09 PM
Hospital too.
Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: Firo on December 22, 2010, 16:40:18 PM
Hmmmmm....
Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: Rindaloo on December 22, 2010, 17:14:31 PM
Can only repeat what we were told by the doctor.  We put the ball in motion for SGK 2 weeks ago and need to be sure THIS is as good as it sounds because it could save us paying 183TL a month.  So, if anyone has more info, it would be much appreciated.  Bearing in mind that this is really new.
Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: tytots on December 22, 2010, 18:24:26 PM
Apparently this is part of the new health system update which started last week, as told to us by Dr Degen
Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: Harmless on December 22, 2010, 18:29:02 PM
We paid over 200 tl per month for ssk.  We have to pay a percentage of treatment costs at the Devlet hospital, but, for emergency treatment even at a private hospital (after hours) it is usually free.
As a general rule, Turks do have to pay insurance in order to obtain healthcare.
Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: Firo on December 22, 2010, 18:39:10 PM
How can the Turkish Government afford to change to a NHS style free treatment system?
I look forward to someone clarifying this because at the moment it seems to be too good to be true.
Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: tytots on December 22, 2010, 20:00:31 PM
I paid for many years for my "free" NHS treatment. Perhaps the increased residency fee will cover this new system, we will find out after 1st January
Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: Firo on December 22, 2010, 22:30:42 PM
Exactly my point, the NHS is paid for by the population via UK NI contributions so if the Turkish Government are now saying all treatment is free for everyone who's paying for it?
I hope that this is correct and what fantastic news it would be, but I would still want more official confirmation before celebrating.
So far nothing here that has been proposed for change ie visa 90/180 days ,compulsory health insurance etc has gone according to plan and nothing has ever been for free.
Sceptical ...yes ...but willing to be optimistic...yes...Fingers crossed that someone can clarify the situation.
Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: Rindaloo on December 23, 2010, 08:32:20 AM
UPDATE:  It seemed too good to be true, and it was.  People have been to register at the clinic today and the Doctor now knows that this fantastic scheme doesn't apply to the English.  It does apply to Germans, Belgians etc.  Oh well.

He says if there is anything he can do to get us onto the scheme, he will.  I feel its unlikely, but we can live in hope.  Meanwhile he is VERY sorry for the mix up.

So, as you were on the SGK....
Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: geordieboy on December 23, 2010, 16:49:56 PM
It takes one person to repeat what another one has said,and off we go again,on the same bloody roundabout of disinformation.
Listen up people,and those that have lived here a while,should know by now, you do N O T,get anything for nothing,apart from your tax number,in Turkey.
Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: Rindaloo on December 23, 2010, 21:01:45 PM
quote:
Originally posted by geordieboy

It takes one person to repeat what another one has said,and off we go again,on the same bloody roundabout of disinformation.
Listen up people,and those that have lived here a while,should know by now, you do N O T,get anything for nothing,apart from your tax number,in Turkey.



We were repeating what our village Doctor had told us.  Forgive us for trying to inform others about something that could have been massively good news.  The fact that the information turned out to be wrong was not our fault and doesn't necessitate such a reaction from you Geordieboy.
Title: Goal posts moving again?
Post by: geordieboy on December 24, 2010, 15:46:43 PM
I apologise if my post upset you Rindy,but how can a village doctor make the statements he apparently did,hope his doctoring is better than his information.Glad to see the topic is back on a even keel. :)