The March 31 deadline is critically important for general health insurance. Introduced in 2012, this insurance can create debts for people who are not covered by an employer. March 31 is a key date for those who have outstanding insurance debts.
Watch Out for Debts in General Health Insurance
General health insurance has been in effect for about eight years, and people who are unaware of the obligation can face significant debt. Individuals who are not working under an insured employment contract or who do not pay their own contributions under Bağ-Kur must still pay general health insurance premiums. Premiums for those without the ability to pay are covered by the Treasury. However, people who are able to pay but do not do so not only lose access to services when they visit hospitals, they also accumulate debt. The most recent restructuring law created options to eliminate accumulated general health insurance debt through payment plans or cancellations. To find out the amount owed, those who are not employed or who do not have their own business after finishing their education must check their records via e-Government.
Anyone not working in an insured job and not receiving health coverage through parents or a spouse should check their total general health insurance debt. Children receive health coverage through their parents until age 18, so they do not need to check debt during that period. In addition, students in secondary education are covered until age 20, and university students until age 25. If students remain within these age limits, they can continue to receive health services for up to two years after graduation. After those two years from the graduation date, responsibility to pay general health insurance premiums begins. People in this situation should therefore check for any outstanding debt.
Pay Attention to the Income Test Deadline
For individuals who are not working or who do not pay Bağ-Kur contributions, the monthly general health insurance fee for 2020 was set at 88 TL. This fee is payable monthly. To have premiums covered by the Treasury due to inability to pay, an income test is required. Under the new restructuring law, people who had not previously taken the income test were given the right to complete it by March 31, 2020.
Accordingly, those who have GSS debt and have never taken an income test can go to the social assistance and solidarity foundation in their area of residence by the deadline to complete the test. If the test shows that per-person household income is less than one-third of the minimum wage, their premium debts will be cancelled. If their income remains at that level, they will not be required to pay general health insurance premiums going forward. Income tests completed by March 31, 2021, can cancel retrospective debts.
No Interest for Lump-Sum Payment
General health insurance debts can grow significantly when interest is added. Monthly delay interest increases the principal amount over time. Under the restructuring law, those who pay their debts by April 30, 2021 will have accumulated delay interest waived, meaning they will only pay the principal amount. The restructuring applies to debts existing as of August 31, 2020; debts incurred after that date must be paid regularly to avoid falling back into arrears. It is important to monitor payment dates carefully to prevent new debt from forming.