One of the social insurance branches provided by the Turkish Social Security System is the General Healthcare Insurance. General Healthcare Insurance refers to social insurance that primarily aims to protect individuals’ health and, in case of encountering health risks, provides financing for the resulting expenses.
With the General Healthcare Insurance, regardless of individuals’ economic power and preference, equal, accessible, and effective access to healthcare services for all members of society is ensured against the risk of developing illnesses. The system covers both the citizens of Republic of Turkey and the legal residents within the country.
Is General Healthcare Insurance mandatory?
The Turkish General Healthcare is being implemented in line with the Social Insurance and General Healthcare Insurance Act No. 5510 of Turkey. Turkish citizens residing in the country were mandatorily included in general health insurance coverage as of January 1, 2012. In addition, the foreigners residing and working in Turkey are being included to the system with some additional conditions being applied.
Who is covered by the General Healthcare Insurance?
Those who are insured either mandatorily or voluntarily, individuals receiving income or monthly pensions according to the Social Insurance and General Health Insurance Act No. 5510 or social security laws in force before this Law are within the scope of the General Healthcare Insurance.
In addition, individuals defined as stateless, citizens whose income per capita within the family is less than one-third of the minimum wage without income determination, Turkish citizens under 18 years of age without income determination and who are not an insured others responsible for their care, individuals benefiting from unemployment benefits and short-time work allowances are within the scope of the Turkish General Healthcare Insurance.
Moreover, foreign nationals residing continuously in Turkey for at least one year and requesting coverage, foreign students requesting coverage are within the scope.
In addition, trainee lawyers, individuals subject to protective measures, those serving in the military as privates and non-commissioned officers, reserve officer students and candidates, military student candidates, as well as candidates of the Gendarmerie and Coast Guard Academy, and in addition, all Turkish citizens residing in the country without any social security coverage, can benefit from healthcare services as being a General Healthcare Insurance holders.
