4 March 2023
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Just for foreigners, All about insurance…
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Health services for foreigners in Turkey are comprehensive but complex. Foreigners who have general health insurance or private health insurance in Turkey can benefit from health services according to the scope of their insurance. If they are not insured, they can benefit from health services for a fee.
In order to benefit from health services effectively, they must first register with the Provincial Directorates of Migration Management and be aware of the scope of health services provided depending on their status in Turkey. The Turkish health system consists of emergency health services, primary, secondary and tertiary health centers.
The health system in Turkey has a cascade system that varies depending on the complexity of the service needed. Under this system, “basic” health services are provided in family and community health centers, which are usually staffed by non-specialized general practitioners or family doctors. If the 1st level health institutions that we have just mentioned cannot respond to the requested health services, it is necessary to apply to more specialized 2nd degree health institutions, and if the 2nd degree health institutions are insufficient, it is necessary to apply to 3rd degree health institutions. Apart from this rating, there are also centers where emergency services are provided.
Health System Steps in Turkey are as follows:
Emergency health services include health services provided to people in emergency situations such as accidents, injuries or sudden health problems. Emergency health services in Turkey are provided in two main parts: ambulance services and hospital emergency services.
Primary health care services are provided in institutions such as family health centers, community health centers, migrant health and voluntary health centers. These institutions generally provide outpatient diagnosis and treatment, immunization (vaccination) services, services to combat infectious diseases and epidemics, women’s and reproductive health services, infant, child and adolescent health services. Migrant Health Centers are established in places where there is a high concentration of Syrians under temporary protection and only Syrians under temporary protection benefit from these centers.
Secondary health care services are provided in public hospitals, private hospitals, medical centers and oral and dental health centers other than training and research hospitals. In addition to primary health care services, these institutions also provide diagnostic, diagnostic and treatment services.
Tertiary health services include training and research hospitals, branch hospitals and university hospitals affiliated to the Ministry of Health. In addition to emergency health services, outpatient diagnosis and treatment services, inpatient treatment services, surgical procedures (surgery, etc.), mental health services, oral and dental health services are provided in these health institutions.
A wide range of health services are available for foreigners living in Turkey. In order to benefit from health services effectively, it will be useful to have insurance in the first place. There are two types of health insurance in Turkey: private health insurance and general health insurance.
Private health insurance is offered by many insurance companies and comes in a range of different coverages and fees. You can benefit from private health services according to the scope of your insurance policy. You can choose the most suitable insurance for you by contacting insurance agents.
General health insurance is insurance provided by the public authority. One year of residence in Turkey is required. However, foreign students studying in Turkey may apply for general health insurance within three months.
You can apply to the provincial directorates of social security to get general health insurance. The documents required for the application include the residence permit, the original or photocopy of the letter from the relevant foreign country’s social security institution or labor attaché showing their social security status in terms of general health insurance application, and the commitment (request) form.
However, foreigners with international protection application and status, Syrians under temporary protection and persons recognized as stateless are registered in the general health insurance system and their premiums are paid by the state.
First of all, if foreigners who wish to stay in Turkey for more than a certain period of time do not have a work permit and therefore do not have general health insurance, they are obliged to have foreign health insurance, also known as residence permit insurance, in order to obtain a residence permit. According to the coverage of these insurances, foreigners can receive inpatient treatment in hospitals, receive medical assistance in emergencies and be examined in outpatient clinics. Foreigners can choose the most suitable private health insurance in consultation with insurance agents.
In addition, foreigners who qualify for general health insurance may also have private health insurance in order to receive better quality health care.
On the other hand, if they meet the necessary conditions, foreigners living in Turkey can benefit from health services through the General Health Insurance (GHI) system. Those included in the GHI can benefit from health services for themselves, their spouses and children under the age of 18. Children under the age of 20 who have completed high school or equivalent education, candidate apprenticeship and apprenticeship training and vocational training in enterprises, unmarried children under the age of 25 who have completed higher education, unmarried children who are determined to be disabled, and your parents can also benefit from health services within the scope of GSS.
The GHI can be terminated for reasons such as the expiration of the person’s residence permit, being insured in a foreign country, being considered as a general health insured in another scope, death and absenteeism. The insurances of people who are covered by the GHI abroad are not valid in Turkey, but thanks to the bilateral social security agreements signed with 28 countries, the insurances of these people can also be valid in Turkey.
However, foreigners in different statuses can benefit from health services under different conditions. Therefore, foreigners should contact the relevant institutions to find out what status they have and under what conditions they can benefit from health services.
Under the Turkish health system, many medicines are available over-the-counter, including for foreigners. However, some medicines, especially antibiotics, are only available on prescription. In addition, in order for the cost of the medicine to be covered by the social security institution, the medicine must be prescribed by a health institution and a doctor within the scope of the Social Security Institution. Information on the use of medicines is indicated on the label and in the instructions for use. It is important to read this information carefully and consult a doctor or pharmacist if it is unclear.
Medicines should be used regularly for the period prescribed by the doctor. The use of the drug should not be interrupted and the doctor should be consulted before changing the dose. It is also important to carefully monitor how the medicines are used, in what dosage, how often and for how long.
Pharmacies are the places where medicines can be obtained in Turkey and pharmacies on duty are also open at night. Address and telephone numbers of pharmacies on duty are published in local newspapers and on websites. Everyone, including foreigners, can obtain their prescription medicines from pharmacies and receive the necessary information from the pharmacist about the use of medicines.
As Insure Assist, with our 30 years of experience and know-how. We are here to meet all the insurance needs of our foreign guests living in Turkey in the most economical way and in accordance with their needs.
We provide free consultancy services and quotations through the communication channels on our website for all insurances that our foreign guests are legally obliged to make, especially foreign health insurance, or all insurance products and services that will increase their quality of life if they do.
Do not hesitate to contact us for any information and quotation regarding insurance services for foreign nationals!
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