In our country, income thresholds are not the same everywhere. While some people carry heavy debts, others have none. Even those with significant debts still retain certain rights. One of the most fundamental rights a person has is access to healthcare. When we become ill, that right should be immediately available; delays can have serious health consequences. A key question today is whether people with debts are entitled to receive hospital care.
The government has introduced a measure to allow people with premium debt—and those they are responsible for—to access healthcare services. Under this arrangement, if a person’s unpaid premium debt is less than 60 days, the Social Security Institution will continue to cover the costs of their healthcare services, enabling them to receive care.
According to the government’s statement, the Cabinet has extended the period during which self-employed persons with premium debts and their dependents can access health services until the beginning of the year. The Ministry of Health clarified this policy in a circular explaining when people with debts can still receive treatment. Per that circular, even if a person has outstanding premiums, the Social Security Institution will cover treatment costs when they seek care for reasons such as medical dependency on others, traffic accidents, emergencies, workplace accidents, occupational diseases, contagious illnesses, preventive health services, and pregnancy-related care.
Bağ-Kur is a system aimed mainly at enabling people who do not have regular state or private employment to retire and access certain social rights. It provides significant benefits, particularly in healthcare. When Bağ-Kur contributions are paid and the person becomes a pensioner, they can access healthcare services at reduced rates. By paying premiums, they earn the right to retirement. Bağ-Kur insurance, established by law, covers self-employed individuals who work independently and earn income without being employed by another person—people who are outside the scope of social security coverage tied to employers.
Those who do not pay their Bağ-Kur premiums generally have to pay the full cost for healthcare services. In short, they lose the right to the discounted services and the portion of costs covered by the state. To benefit from Bağ-Kur healthcare provisions, there must not be unpaid premium debt exceeding 60 days. If the debt remains unpaid, access to healthcare and hospital services is not possible. Therefore, premium payments should not be neglected.
What Should a Person with Debt Do?
As noted above, if a Bağ-Kur member has more than 60 days of unpaid premiums, neither they nor their dependents can use health services. Therefore, the Bağ-Kur member should either pay the debt in full or apply for restructuring. The member must go to the local Social Security Institution office and submit a petition requesting an installment plan for the premium debt under the applicable law. Depending on the individual’s choice, the premium debt can be spread over up to 36 months.
When a debtor requests an installment plan, they receive a payment schedule showing the monthly installments. If the first installment is paid up front, the Bağ-Kur member, their spouse, children, and other dependents become eligible to use health services from that day onward.
An additional relief measure is available for those who already have a structured Bağ-Kur debt. If a person has an existing installment arrangement and a new amnesty or law provides for lower interest rates, they can opt to benefit from the new regulation. In that case, the total cost of the structured premiums may decrease and the previous installment plan will be replaced by the new one.