Medical insurance

[Eric]

From the British Embassy in Ankara;

Update:

As we posted yesterday, we are aware of the confusion and concern in the community over the new healthcare requirements for certain foreign nationals that the Turkish authorities have just announced; and over the additional confusion caused by the way in which regional offices are apparently applying the new policy inconsistently.  

As those who have lived in Turkey for some time will recall, we were initially told in 2010 that a compulsory healthcare scheme was going to be launched.  We were later informed that implementation had been delayed until December 2012; and then that the scheme was likely to be cancelled.

In the meantime, some British nationals wanted to join the scheme and were able to do so.  However, late last year some people experienced problems relating to their pension/NHS status. They asked us to assist, which we did.

We were not officially notified by the Turkish authorities that the scheme was being reintroduced this year and that it would be compulsory for all long-term residents.  

The Turkish authorities have now announced that the scheme became effective on 1/1/12.  In the document passed to us, it appears that once a non-Turkish resident completes one year of residence in Turkey, they must apply to join the scheme.  It applies to all nationalities not covered by the health scheme of their own country.  British nationals who have lived in Turkey for one year will receive a letter about joining the scheme and then have one month to register.  

We are in touch with the Turkish authorities, including through the Ambassador, to register our concern; to discuss the implications of this measure if it is implemented as announced; and to protect the interests of our community.

We would like to thank those of you who have taken the trouble to write to us. We will keep you informed of developments through our website and facebook pages.  
Healthcare in Turkey for British Residents

We are aware of the confusion surrounding the new compulsory healthcare requirements for British nationals.  It seems that regional offices are applying the rules differently, adding to the confusion.  

We have contacted the Ministry of Health again to ask them to clarify the requirements of the scheme immediately so that British nationals can make informed decisions about the options open to them. The Ambassador has also raised this with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  

[jean churchill]

quote:Originally posted by Scunner

...and therein lies the honeytrap

Exactly,they get us every time

[Diverbaz 1]

I think a lot of people are misreading the info and are saying having UK private insurance excludes them from the SGK scheme. What it reads is:-

 

quote: It applies to all nationalities not covered by the health scheme of their own country.

[grizabella]

So,what do I do now?Register or not?Dont want to incur the fine.Am not covered by the NHS and have no private medical insurance over here.Have always paid up front for my  medical requirements.

[jackstee]

So I think this means : As I only got my residency two weeks ago, I don't apply until I get a letter (or not)next December.

Right ??

[Chinook]

quote:A reciprocal health agreement is designed to cover you on a trip to a country and not designed for those permanently resident in another country.The Dept of Health website makes it very clear if you reside in another country the NHS is not available and you should make adequate provision for healthcare. I do not know how they can make it any clearer.

A reciprical agreement is designed for whatever is agreed between the respective countries . Whilst the NHS is not available to those that live permanently in Turkey it is available to Turks who live permanently in the UK. I believe that there are countries who have such agreements with the Turkish government for their people who live in Turkey. We need to urge the UK Government to make similar agreements

[Denise40]

The information below has been sent to me and a few others and requested to pass on as it appears on the Turkish Website:-

I have spoken to my friend Ramazan this morning who kindly went onto the Turkish website with regards to this Health Insurance and gave me the following information which I'm sure will interest you.
 
We have been given a figure of 212.76 TL per month. I am not sure where this figure came from. The information Ramazan read out to me is that if your income is below 295 TL per month you would not pay anything and your treatment would be free. If your income was between 295 TL and 886 TL you would have to pay 35.40 TL per month. If between 886 TL and 1773 you would have to pay 106.40 TL per month and anything over 1773 TL you would pay 213 TL. The 213 TL is close to the 212.76 TL, so does that mean the government presume we all are bringing in more that 1773 TL in interest each month?
 
By the information that has been explained to me, your interest is your income, so the more you bring in the more you pay as I have just explained. If this proves to be the case, then what happens for instance if you are bringing in say 1775 TL which is at the highest level and the bank interest rate drops after they have calculated what you earn, would you be reduced to the lower rates and how would they know? I would imagine there are a lot of Ex Pats in the Fethiye area who are bringing in less than 1773 TL including myself. Does this mean we will get the lower rate? There has been no mention of any of us bringing bank details when we register, so how are they going to know what our income is? If we did show our income, it would take some considerable time for this to be sorted out.
 
The benefits of this insurance means that you do not pay anything at the State Hospital and prescriptions costs would be 20% cheaper. If you decided to go to Esnaf or Letoon hospitals, you would pay only 30% of the cost. For example if your treatment came to 1000 TL you would only pay 300 TL.
 
It is imperative that we all register by the 31st January if you have already had Residency for one year or more, otherwise you will be fined 886 TL. If you have only just taken out Residency or had Residency for less than one year then you do not need to register until the end of the first year.
 
Below is the link where Ramazan received his information, if you speak Turkish you will be able to understand it all, or you may have someone to translate it for you:
 
http://www.internethaber.com/sgk-genel-saglik-sigortasi--396048h-p2.htm
 
I hope this helps a little as I know the more information we receive the more it helps. If these rates do apply to us, then for those of us who are not so well off, then maybe it isn't so bad. There are still a lot of unanswered questions.

Regards
LS

[Eric]

quote:Originally posted by grizabella

So,what do I do now?Register or not?Dont want to incur the fine.Am not covered by the NHS and have no private medical insurance over here.Have always paid up front for my  medical requirements.

"British nationals who have lived in Turkey for one year will receive a letter about joining the scheme and then have one month to register."

[tinkerman]

That message referred to Didim area Eric, I put it on in full yesterday

[Eric]

No its not.  The bit I pasted is directly from the British Embassy's web site.  Link below.

http://ukinturkey.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/