Until further notice, provisions for chronic patients remain in effect. The Minister of Family, Labour and Social Services, Zehra Zümrüt Selçuk, has announced an important update: health reports and prescriptions for chronic patients that expired on or after January 1, 2020, will remain valid until a subsequent announcement. This measure aims to reduce the need for patients in chronic condition to make in-person visits to healthcare providers during the ongoing public health situation.
In her written statement, Minister Selçuk reminded the public that the temporary requirement for chronic and high-risk patients to visit healthcare facilities solely to obtain prescriptions has been lifted. During this period, the costs of medicines and medical supplies associated with chronic conditions will continue to be covered by the Social Security Institution (Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu, SGK). The minister also outlined additional precautions and administrative steps the SGK has taken as part of the national response to the coronavirus.
What Measures Has the SGK Taken in the Fight Against Coronavirus?
The Social Security Institution (SGK) has implemented several temporary measures to protect patients and reduce pressure on healthcare services. According to Minister Zehra Zümrüt Selçuk, these measures include extending the validity of expired health reports and prescriptions for chronic patients dated January 1, 2020, and later, until further notice. As a result, patients who receive medications and medical supplies based on an existing health report do not need to obtain new prescriptions during this extension.
Minister Selçuk also announced that the mandatory implementation of the Biometric Identity Verification System at private healthcare providers has been suspended until March 31, 2020, and that this suspension will remain in effect until another notice is issued. These steps are intended to limit unnecessary patient movement and simplify access to essential treatments for vulnerable groups.
According to the minister’s statement, under the new arrangements, chronic patients whose reports expired between January 1 and March 1, 2020, will not face disruptions in accessing their medicines. Additionally, medications that were previously dispensed monthly may be provided for up to three months at a time to minimize visits to pharmacies and health centers. These adjustments emphasize continuity of care while protecting high-risk individuals and supporting public health measures.