The Social Security Institution has prepared a new regulation for General Health Insurance that has entered into force after being published in the Official Gazette. This regulation under the SGK introduces a number of changes and important benefits. In particular, people who have General Health Insurance registration but have never applied for the income test are granted notable rights. If these individuals apply for the income test within 12 months from April 1, 2017, their health insurance premiums will be assessed retroactively according to the income test result. The regulation was announced with headlines saying that “SGK premium debts are being wiped out.”
Those with outstanding premium debts will have certain charges waived for periods before April 1, including accrued delay interest and delay penalties or similar receivables. Unpaid delay penalties and delay interest up to that date will also not be collected. However, unpaid debts that were accrued prior to that date will be recalculated and repayment requested on the new basis. Additionally, veterans granted veteran status after July 15 will be automatically treated as covered by general health insurance.
The announcement that “SGK premium debts are being wiped out” also brings important relief to tradespeople. Individuals benefiting from the Esnaf Ahilik Fund payment will be considered insured under the health system. Those who perform mandatory military service as privates or non-commissioned ranks will be included in General Health Insurance; after discharge, their insurance coverage will remain valid for 30 days. Households with a monthly per-person income below 592 Turkish lira will not be required to pay a premium to receive health services. If the per-person monthly income exceeds 592 lira, it will be possible to obtain services by paying 53 lira per month.
According to details from reports that “SGK premium debts are being wiped out,” discharged soldiers will receive free health services for one month without paying premiums. High school and university graduates will be able to access health services without paying premiums for up to two years. The new regulation also offers important advantages to tradespeople: those who were unable to receive health services due to unpaid social security premium debts may become insured and access services by paying 53 lira per month.
Relatives of individuals considered general health insurance beneficiaries will also be regarded as insured and will be able to use health services. Persons injured during the coup attempt who are recognized as veterans will be covered by General Health Insurance and can access care. Individuals who are considered veterans due to terrorist incidents will also be included under the General Health Insurance framework.
Under the “SGK premium debts are being wiped out” measures, Turkish citizens’ relatives living abroad will also be able to fall under General Health Insurance and benefit from health services. People who work less than 20 days within a month will be included in General Health Insurance. Workers who are called in for occasional shifts and those employed part-time will likewise be treated as insured and able to use health services. To receive free health services, having no outstanding premium debt will be a condition. Those who have premium debts but are on an installment plan will still be eligible for free health services.