Universal health insurance is described in the Law No. 5510 as an insurance which ensures, first of all, maintenance of health statuses of individuals, and the financing of costs that arise in case the individuals experience health risks.
Introduced by the Law No.5510, universal health insurance system provides all insured and uninsured individuals who live in our country with a comprehensive, fair and equitable access to healthcare services, regardless of their economic status and whether they are willing or not.
The low-income individuals received healthcare services through “green cards” before 01.01.2012. Green card is a health card that enables our helpless and uninsured citizens with domestic monthly income per capita less than one thirds of gross minimum wage to receive healthcare services free of charge. The green card policy has been removed through some regulations and all citizens have been included in universal health insurance according to the results of means tests as of 01.01.2012.
The individuals who have green cards before 01.01.2012 and whose visa (right ownership) is valid after that date shall continue to receive healthcare benefits under universal insurance until their visas expire. It is obligatory that these individuals shall apply to the Social Assistance and Solidarity Foundations (SYDV) affiliated to the Ministry of Family and Social Policy in place of residence for taking means test no later than a month following visa expiration date. The individuals who are determined to have domestic average monthly income per capita less than one thirds of gross minimum wage according to the results of means test shall benefit from healthcare services as though they have green cards provided that health insurance premiums are paid by the State. In case domestic monthly income per capita is found more than one thirds of gross minimum wage as the result of means test, the individuals shall pay universal health insurance premium in the amount of their income.
