Medical insurance

[Big Dave]

The question was raised 'what do I get for my money'. We (Rindaloo) and myself joined the Bag Kur system in January 2011. In the last year I have had Cataracts removed from both eyes at the Esnaf Hospital in Fethiye. WITHOUT Bag Kur I was quoted 1000tl per eye. WITH Bag Kur the operations were FREE. I opted to pay an additional 200tl per eye for top quality replacement lenses. Normal quality lenses were also free. Following a complication caused by previous eye surgery in the UK I was referred to a professor who specialised in my condition. His consultation fee was 25tl the same as any specialist consultation in the private hospitals. (Esnaf, Letoon etc). Provided any follow up consultations are within 10 days they are not charged for. The eye clinic in Esnaf has state of the art equipment and extremely knowledgeable staff and doctors.

From going to the Esnaf to make an appointment to see the surgeon to having the operation was 2 weeks. I didn't have to go to a family doctor or optician first to get a referral and then wait weeks or even months just to have the initial consultation. I have been completely stunned at the level of care I received and am so glad we took the decision to subscribe to Bag Kur. I think the NHS could lrearn quite a few lessons from the Turkish health care system, particularly in reducing waiting times.

[Highlander]

In reply to farmer

I did say in my post that if you are contributing you are entitled to benefits and I readily confess that I was meaning people resident in the UK and not people living abroad who still pay tax in this country.

[Diverbaz 1]

So us living in Turkey and still paying UK tax on our pensions and get SFA out of the UK are subsidising everyone in the UK. Letting us stop paying tax in the UK would help us pay for our SGK here, that sounds fair to me.

[Julesp]

Well after sorting the confusion out and find  that I am entitled to join the ssk , I went today , it took me 5 minutes and hopefully I will soon be on the scheme, I for one am happy to pay if it means that at long last I have affordable health cover, and will not have to return to the Uk to live if my health deteriorates

[Ovacikpeedoff]

Farmer if you are paying tax in the UK it might be worth investigating whether you can claim double taxation relief and elect to be taxed in Turkey.If your income is in the form of a pension it is worth considering.

[Eric]

quote:Originally posted by farmer

In reply to Highlander, can he tell me why I am not entitled to healthcare in the UK even though I am still paying income tax in the UK.
That means I am contributing, doesn't it?

Explanations below;

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Entitlementsandcharges/OverseasVisitors/Browsable/DH_074374

Quote;
"What about British Nationals? I have paid taxes in the past.

Nationality or past or present payments of UK taxes and National Insurance contributions are not taken into consideration when establishing residence.  The only thing relevant is whether you ordinarily live in the UK"


Other links/explanations below;

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Entitlementsandcharges/OverseasVisitors/Browsable/DH_074373

[mercury]

I have just read that David from the ex. Independant newspaper is being so kind as to help fill in forms for us at 25TL per person "because there is no one at the office thats speaks English" he can copy all the forms and save us waiting around for hours"  There is a lovely woman there who speaks English and is very helpful. Needed 1 copy of passport. 1 copy of RP second page and if applicable 1 translated and notarised marriage certificate. There is an example form on the wall showing you what to fill in. Nice work if you can get it!! It makes me so angry that these people try to take advantage. It takes 10 minutes...

[Highlander]

I confess to not knowing of the regulations cited by Eric.

Presumably however those who have chosen to live abroad have been and are aware of these regulations.

[Julesp]

Yes. Anne, Mercury, I went today too, it was easy but I did have Yetis with me , We took a queue number and went outside to wait , i remarked to Yetis that Turks etc will be making a killing charging for help, heard of one bloke charging 20tl each and taking 10 people at a time!

 After 10 minutes Yetis went inside and realised that there was a Yabanci section , we went in and in 2 minutes I was registered

Maybe if we had had time it could have been a good money spinner for our respective charities here

[Julesp]

On a less selfish note, I was surprised how many Turks were registering, Yetis said these were all unemployed and now the Government will understand how huge the numbers are and will maybe give them more help