Use of healthcare services for those with Bağ-Kur debt has been addressed by recent government regulations. Individuals with outstanding Bağ-Kur or General Health Insurance (GSS) premium debts, as well as their dependents, were able to access healthcare services free of charge until the end of 2019. According to this arrangement, 4B insured persons and those under General Health Insurance could receive free healthcare through 31 December 2019.
Even though healthcare services could be used without immediate payment, the obligation to pay outstanding premiums remains. Failure to settle unpaid premiums can jeopardize the right to retirement. Therefore, paying or restructuring Bağ-Kur premiums is important for continued access to healthcare after 31 December 2019. To benefit from healthcare services, people with Bağ-Kur debt should note:
- They must apply to restructure (installment) their Bağ-Kur debt and pay the first installment.
- Those with accumulated Bağ-Kur debt who have not applied for restructuring cannot use these services.
- Applicants who have successfully restructured their Bağ-Kur debt can receive healthcare for themselves and their family members.
Conditions for Bağ-Kur Insured with Premium Debt to Access Healthcare
Bağ-Kur insured individuals with premium debt normally lose their entitlement to healthcare services. However, the 2019 regulations created an opportunity for these insured persons to access care. Those with outstanding premiums could receive free healthcare for themselves and their dependents through 31 December 2019.
To use services, there is an additional requirement: at the time of application to a hospital or health institution, the applicant must have at least 30 days of premiums paid within the preceding 12 months. Bağ-Kur insured persons who do not meet this condition are not eligible for care under the arrangement. Meanwhile, the obligation to pay accumulated premiums continues to apply.
Can People with Bağ-Kur Debt Go to the Hospital?
People with Bağ-Kur debt can receive treatment if they meet the following conditions:
- The person must apply to restructure their Bağ-Kur debt. After the debt is placed on an installment plan, free access to healthcare becomes possible.
- They must adhere to the payment schedule and pay each monthly installment on time.
- The first installment on the payment schedule must be paid up front (even before its formal due date). This initial payment activates the arrangement and allows the insured person and their family to use healthcare services.
What Happens to Unpaid Bağ-Kur Debts?
Unpaid Bağ-Kur debts can result in loss of social rights such as retirement and access to healthcare. Outstanding Bağ-Kur premiums delay retirement and prevent use of healthcare services. To maintain entitlement to healthcare and to retire, insured workers must pay their premiums regularly.
If Bağ-Kur premiums are not paid on time, interest accrues and the debt grows. Beyond interest and delayed retirement, failure to settle debts also blocks access to services until payment is made. If a person fails to pay Bağ-Kur for sixty days or more, they may lose their right to healthcare entirely. Options for addressing Bağ-Kur debt include:
- Paying current period Bağ-Kur premiums to reduce debt.
- Paying outstanding Bağ-Kur premiums in full to close the debt.
- Paying the Bağ-Kur social security support contribution (SGDP) to maintain rights.
- Paying the down payment for an installment plan to restructure the debt.
How to Pay Bağ-Kur Debt via e-Government (e-Devlet)
Payment of Bağ-Kur debt through e-Government is made using your Turkish ID number and e-Government password. After logging in, access the “Social Security Institution Card Payment Application” (Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu Kart ile Prim Ödeme Uygulaması). From there you can pay past and current Bağ-Kur debts easily with a debit or credit card. Steps to complete this:
- Log in to the e-Government system with your Turkish ID number and e-Government password. Those without a password can obtain one from a PTT branch for a small fee.
- In the e-Government search box, enter “4B Sigortalı Ödemeleri” to find the relevant service.
- Select the query type and the debt category you wish to pay.
- To pay past-due Bağ-Kur premiums, choose “Bağ-Kur Geçmiş Dönem”.
- To pay current period premiums, choose “Bağ-Kur Cari Dönem”.
- After making your selections, all your Bağ-Kur debts will be displayed on the screen for payment.
Where to Check Bağ-Kur Debt?
Bağ-Kur debt inquiries can be performed through the e-Government portal. To query your Bağ-Kur debts:
- Visit the 4B debt status section of the e-Government portal.
- Click “Verify My Identity Now” (Kimliğimi Şimdi Doğrula).
- Authenticate with your Turkish ID number and e-Government password.
- If you do not have an e-Government password, you may obtain one from a PTT branch for a fee.
- The system will automatically display your Bağ-Kur debts on the page.
- After the query, you can review your registration status and outstanding premium amounts on-screen.
Where to Pay Restructured SGK Debts under Laws 6732/7020?
Restructured SGK debts allow Bağ-Kur insured persons to pay in installments and are important for managing liabilities. These restructured debts can be paid at any bank that has an agreement with the Social Security Institution (SGK). Payments can be made via banks’ online and mobile services or directly at branches. SGK restructuring payments under the relevant laws can also be made at PTT branches. To pay restructuring debts:
- Log in to e-Government with your Turkish ID number and password to make a credit card payment to SGK.
- Select the relevant collection type indicated on the page (for example SSK agriculture restructuring collection).
- Choose the insurance type for which you owe debts and proceed to view payment options.
- You can pay SSK premium debts, SSK agricultural insurance restructuring, and other restructuring-related premium debts by credit card through the displayed options.
Which Banks Accept Bağ-Kur Restructuring Payments?
Bağ-Kur restructuring payments are accepted by all banks that have agreements with the Social Security Institution. You may pay in person at branch offices or use mobile and internet banking. Banks commonly listed as participating institutions include:
- DenizBank
- Ziraat Bank
- Yapı Kredi
- ING Bank
- QNB Finansbank
- Akbank
- Turkish Bank
- İş Bankası
- Garanti Bankası
- Şekerbank
- Eurobank Tekfen
- TEB (Tekstilbank)
- VakıfBank
- Asya Katılım Bankası
- Fortis (where applicable previously)
- HSBC
- Albaraka Türk
- AnadoluBank
How to Pay Bağ-Kur Restructured Debts via PTT
Bağ-Kur restructuring payments can be made at all PTT branches. Thanks to the agreement between PTT and SGK, payments are accepted both at branch counters and PTT ATMs. At PTT you can:
- Pay BAĞ-KUR premium debts,
- Settle current period BAĞ-KUR premiums,
- Pay BAĞ-KUR SGDP contributions,
- Complete down payments for BAĞ-KUR installment plans.
You can complete your BAĞ-KUR restructuring payments through PTT branches and their services.