General Health Insurance (GSS) is health insurance for Turkish citizens. GSS health insurance Turkey allows the citizens to receive almost free treatment in government hospitals. Its cost is a nominal cost that is almost free compared to the high treatment prices in Turkey in general.
The beneficiary of the GSS health insurance Turkey, pays the general health insurance fee which is 3% of the value of the minimum total wage that he receives every month. That is about 80 lira per month. GSS health insurance Turkey covers the father, mother, and children under the age of 18, this is for each citizen.
In addition, it also covers young adults who study in secondary school and their ages are under 21 years, and young adults under 25 years of age who are in the University. The person subject to public health insurance benefits from all public health services, the treatment, and medicine is almost free. This insurance is mandatory for a Turkish citizen.
Health Insurance requirements for expats
When you arrive in Turkey, the first thing you should do is make sure you have private health insurance. This is a need for acquiring a residence visa, to be sure you are protected in the event of a medical emergency.
Assume, however, that you are under the age of 18 and will be enrolled in Turkish educational institution or language course, or that you are above 65. In that situation, you do not need to get health insurance prior to your visit because the Turkish government will cover you automatically.
If you are 65 or older, having additional health insurance is highly urged. Especially since the SGK announced in 2017 that it would not cover the price of treatments and medications for pre-existing diseases.
In Turkey, a number of insurance firms operate, each offering a variety of health insurance plans with varying levels of coverage and prices. You will be required to pay a monthly payment to the insurance firm, similar to universal health insurance (GSS), in exchange for the free use of pre-listed health services.
For foreign nationals, the (GSS) insurance premium rate is 24 percent of the national minimum salary, which fluctuates annually. For international students, the rate reduces to 4%. You can apply for GSS after acquiring a residency permit by canceling your existing private insurance.
VALUABLE INFORMATION ON MEDICAL DOCTOR IN TURKEY
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How to Apply for the GSS health insurance Turkey for new citizens
If you have obtained Turkish citizenship, you must ensure your health by registering with the General Health Insurance (GSS), and all you have to do is:
- Go to the SGK office in your area
- Main official website here: http://www.sgk.gov.tr/wps/portal/sgk/en/detail/universal_health_ins
- Take a turn at the GSS branch and wait
- When you enter the employee, you must tell him that you have recently been naturalized (obtained Turkish citizenship) to drop the debt that you have accumulated (insurance debt as a Turkish citizen).
- Then, he registers you in the GSS system from the date of obtaining the citizenship
- You must continue to pay a monthly fee (about 80 liras)
Dental Care Under the GSS Health Insurance Turkey
In Turkey, oral and dental healthcare facilities, which are part of public hospitals, provide free appointments and treatment to Turks and foreigners with GSS (universal health insurance). State hospitals (Devlet Hastanesi) and university research and training hospitals (üniversite eitim ve araştrma hastanesi) are also included.
You can book an appointment at these facilities by calling 182 or using the Centralized Doctor Appointment System on the internet (Merkezi Hekim Randevu Sistemi – MHRS). https://www.mhrs.gov.tr/
Some private hospitals will give GSS patients a discount, but make sure to ask before signing anything.
Read about GSS health insurance Turkey in Arabic
Did you obtain your GSS health insurance Turkey? Tell us in the comments!
