128 replies to this topic

[Abi]

Unfortunately this article is in Turkish but can be translated using Google Chrome. Has anyone received this letter?

Here is the the Google translation for the part that concerns foreigners
......

In the third letter, but residing in Turkey for over 1 year and sent to foreign countries without social security.

Required by law to the letter of 5510 to 1st January 2012 taken from the general health insurance coverage for everyone living in the country said.

In this context, length of residence in Turkey, completed 1 year of uninterrupted foreign nationals covered by social insurance under the legislation of any other country due to lack of 'registration' process was advised to take out.

In the letter, "according to records from the Ministry of Interior General Directorate of Security have been identified in our country without interruption for over a year in which you reside. If you are not insured under the relevant legislation in the country, the general health insurance within one month from the date of 1/1/2012 entry declaration in which you reside and where the provincial directorate of social security / social security should contact the center, "the statement said.

PENALTY to cut 886 BAŞVURMAYANA LIRA

The letter in this case, foreigners who başvurmamaları, be made ex officio the registration process and assuming a monthly income of over 2 times the gross minimum wage be required to pay 12 per cent premium is emphasized.

Başvurulmaması until January 31 in the amount of gross minimum wage ie £ 886 administrative fine was announced to be trimmed.

http://www.hurriyet....mi/19669764.asp

[KKW]

That's as clear as mud.

[Abi]

Well it looks like it will cost 212.64 TL per month which I think it is at the moment. The down side is that you have an existing chronic condition before you take out the insurance it won't be covered. Also if you don't apply before the start of next month you will be fined 886 TL.

i have just look on the British Embassy in Turkey website and they haven't written anything new since the last annocument saying it was cancelled, Maybe they haven't been informed.

[swabs]

Im sorry to be dim but i really dont understand what this means, what exactly are they talking about as i am a resident but am not understanding exactly what they are trying to say x

[sunny]

Those who have lived continuously in Turkey for 1 year and have no insurance from their own country, must apply to their SGK office before the end ofJan 2012. Those who do not apply will be fined 886TL.
It looks like premiums for foreigners will be calculated at 12% of twice the minimum wage

Also, SSK insurance will not cover the costs of any chronic illnesses which you may have prior to starting to pay insurance premiums.

I'm going to the SGK office next week so I will try to find out more info.

[swabs]

Agh ok thank you sunny for making it simpler to understand, i look forward to hearing what happens when you go next week x

[samanthaozkara]

I would like to know more aswell. xxx

[Abi]

Sam you shouldn't have to worry about it as you are married to a Turk and should be covered by his insurance.

If you aren't he better sort it out pronto.

[Vic801]

I would be interested in knowing more about this. In particular I am intrigued to know how they will detect and fine those who do not apply ???

[Abi]

In particular I am intrigued to know how they will detect and fine those who do not apply ???

Not sure either Vic but don't think it would be difficult as all our names and address's are listed somewhere on a computer from when we applied for a RP. I wonder if they will start asking people to show proof of SGK payments at renewal time, or whether their computer can link in the SGK system and therefore be able to produce a list of who has joined and who hasn't.

[Vic801]

Theoretically it is certainly not difficult and with connecting software and cross-checking it would certainly be quite easy. Proof of SGK payments when applying or renewing for RP would be the most logical and used to be a basic requirement for a RP in France and Germany at least.

But I think it is highly unlikely that there will be any cross-linking of files or systems. Take the example of hotels where anti-terrorist laws require each hotel to enter the passport number/ID card number and details of each guest into a program which uploads to the Jandarma each evening. You would think this would also be linked to the Fisc so that they could check the number of rooms sold against revenue declared by the hotelier. But no, the Jandarma refuse adamantly to let anyone access their files, they built the software, they are their files so no, no, no, nobody else is getting their hands on that information. The Vergi are are lazy so-and-sos and they can build their own software if they want.

Sounds like another wonderful idea but completely impractical to apply.

[swabs]

Abi so does that mean after being married in July i will be covered by Haluks insurance? xx

[Abi]

Yes it does, but he will have to take your red wedding book to get you added.

[swabs]

Agh right, brilliant thank you so much for letting me know that! x

[sunny]

That is presuming Haluk has insurance.

[swabs]

Haha yes he does x

[Vic801]

From the British Embassy website:
New Health Scheme for Foreigners

Ministry of Health officials have stated verbally that implementation of the proposed compulsory health scheme has now been postponed until December 2012. However, this decision has not been approved by the Turkish parliament and so formal confirmation of this delay in implementation is not yet forthcoming. We will publish on our website any further information we receive from the Turkish authorities.

[Abi]

That has been on their web site for over a year now. It's all rather worrying as to date whilst it has been in the Turkish papers there has been no mentioned of it in the english speaking ones. Maybe the Turkish authorities haven't been in touch with the British Embassy to inform them yet and that's why that old message is still showing.

I haven't heard of anyone yet getting the letter from the SGK people yet so unless they read the Turkish newspaper or belong to a forum such as this how would they know. There are only 20 days to go before it comes into being so people really need to visit their local SGK office.

I am going to join regardless as I live full time in Turkey and it is a cheaper way of making sure that if I need expensive health care I won't have to worry.

[Vic801]

it is a cheaper way of making sure that if I need expensive health care I won't have to worry.

That is interesting to know. Last time this subject raised its ugly head we started looking into private insurance in Turkey (HDI, banks etc.) and found figures that were way below the compulsary contributions that were supposed to be imposed. But I can't remember now how much that was. Do you have any figures, Abi?
Thank you

[Abi]

I think you will have to do some more research again Vic as it depends on how old you are when you join. Obviously the younger you are the cheaper it will be. I know that if you are over 60 it can be very hard to get medical insurance for the first time and can be usually very expensive. The Turkish government will also cover dental work as well plus I wouldn't have to worry about contact them to see if it was alright to get treated and wouldn't need to send receipts etc.

The other thing I wonder is if you take out private medical insurance and develop an ongoing chronic illness how much premiums will go up and would they always cover it?