Is Turkish Healthcare FREE ? Health Insurance and Retirement System in Turkey | BIG TALKS EP. 3

Summary

In this podcast, host Josefan discusses the Turkish healthcare system with Mr. Acute, a licensed expert and co-founder. They cover various insurance types available to Turkish citizens, including free healthcare for the poor via 'green card,' mandatory insurance for business owners ('balker'), and employee insurance ('SGK'). The discussion also touches on 'GSS' for self-employed individuals, offering free healthcare without retirement benefits. Mr. Acute highlights the high quality of Turkish healthcare, comparing it favorably to other countries, emphasizing affordability and the extensive coverage of treatments and medicines.

Takeaways

• 🏥 Turkish healthcare is generally free but not for everyone. It depends on the individual's social status and employment.
• 💳 The 'Green Card' provides completely free healthcare to those who can prove they are unable to support themselves financially.
• 👨‍💼 Business owners ('Bağkur') pay for their own insurance, which also covers retirement and healthcare.
• 💼 Employees are covered by their employer's insurance ('SGK'), which includes healthcare and retirement benefits after meeting certain conditions.
• 🏢 'SGK' insurance costs approximately 1200 Turkish Liras per month and is paid by the employer, not deducted from the employee's salary.
• 👪 Healthcare insurance covers the family, including the spouse and children up to 18 or 24 if they are studying.
• 👥 'GSS' is a self-employed insurance option that provides free healthcare but no retirement benefits, costing 107 Turkish Liras monthly.
• 🌍 Foreign investors often opt for private insurance packages, but there are also governmental insurance options available for those seeking citizenship.
• 🌟 Turkish healthcare is considered high quality, with well-educated and experienced doctors and nurses.
• 💊 Most treatments, including cancer, and medications are either free or heavily subsidized by the government in public hospitals.
• 🏥 Dental treatments, cosmetic surgeries, and hair transplants are notably affordable in Turkey, attracting patients from abroad.

Q & A

What is the green card in the Turkish healthcare system?

The green card is a type of healthcare provided totally free to people who can prove they are poor and unable to maintain their homes. The government provides this card for those individuals to get free health services from any government hospital.

How much does a business owner pay for their insurance in Turkey?

A business owner, referred to as 'balker' in Turkish, pays approximately 1200 Turkish Liras monthly for their insurance, which also covers retirement.

What is the retirement age for Turkish citizens with 'balker' insurance?

The retirement age for Turkish citizens with 'balker' insurance is 65 for males and 60 for females.

What is SGK and how much does it cost?

SGK is a type of insurance for employees working in companies. The cost is approximately 1200 Turkish Liras monthly, and it covers full healthcare in all government hospitals as well as retirement salary after fulfilling 7000 working days.

What is GSS and how much does it cost?

GSS is a healthcare insurance option for those who do not work or own a business. It provides free healthcare at government hospitals for a monthly cost of 107 Turkish Liras, but it does not include retirement benefits.

Does the healthcare insurance cover the whole family in Turkey?

Yes, if a husband has 'balker' insurance, it covers his wife and children up to the age of 18, or up to 24 if they are studying at a university. The same applies to GSS and SGK insurances.

What kind of insurance do foreign investors in Turkey usually prefer?

Foreign investors in Turkey often opt for private insurance packages, which vary in offerings and pricing from different companies. For citizenship investors willing to live in Turkey, they may also opt for governmental insurance packages.

How does the quality of Turkish healthcare compare to other countries?

The quality of Turkish healthcare is very high, with well-educated and experienced doctors and nurses. The government hospitals are well-equipped and offer free or subsidized treatments, including for serious illnesses like cancer.

Is dental treatment in Turkey affordable compared to Europe?

Yes, dental treatment in Turkey is more affordable compared to many European countries, attracting many Turkish-origin Europeans to receive dental treatments during the summer.

What is the cost of the GSS package for healthcare in Turkey?

The GSS package costs 107 Turkish Liras per month, allowing for countless visits to government hospitals.

How does the Turkish healthcare system handle emergency situations?

In emergency situations, such as someone passing out and needing an ambulance, the individual is responsible for the costs upon waking up and receiving the bill.

Outlines

00:00

🏥 Turkish Healthcare System Overview

In this segment, the host discusses the Turkish healthcare system with a licensed expert and co-founder, Mr. Acute. The conversation covers the misconception that healthcare in Turkey is entirely free. It is clarified that while healthcare is free, it is not free for everyone. The expert explains that there are four types of healthcare available to Turkish citizens: Green Card for the poor, Bakkal for business owners, SGK for employees, and GSS for self-employed individuals. Each type has different requirements and benefits, including free healthcare services at government hospitals and retirement benefits after meeting certain criteria.

05:02

💊 Details on Turkish Healthcare Coverage

This paragraph delves deeper into the specifics of the Turkish healthcare system. The Green Card provides free healthcare to those who can prove their financial inability to support themselves. Bakkal insurance is paid by the business owner's company and covers healthcare and retirement. SGK insurance is for employees and is paid by the employing company, covering healthcare and retirement. GSS is for self-employed individuals and provides free healthcare without retirement benefits. The discussion also addresses how these insurances cover family members, with varying age limits depending on education status. The segment concludes with insights on private insurance options for foreigners and the high quality of Turkish healthcare compared to other countries.

10:03

🌐 International Perspective on Turkish Healthcare

In the final paragraph, the conversation turns to the experiences of foreigners in Turkey, particularly investors. The host and Mr. Acute discuss the preference of foreign investors for private insurance packages and the assistance provided by their company in guiding investors to reliable insurance providers. The discussion emphasizes the affordability and quality of Turkish healthcare, with Mr. Acute sharing his personal preference for Turkish healthcare over the US system due to the quality of medical staff and equipment. The segment highlights the cost-effectiveness of treatments like cancer therapy and dental work in Turkey, which attracts many Europeans of Turkish origin. The host invites further questions from the audience and thanks Mr. Acute for the informative discussion.

Keywords

💡Turkish Healthcare

Turkish Healthcare refers to the medical services and health insurance systems available in Turkey. The video discusses various aspects of the Turkish healthcare system, including the types of insurance available to citizens and foreigners. It is the central theme of the video, as the hosts aim to clarify misconceptions and provide insights into the quality and affordability of healthcare services in Turkey.

💡Green Card

The Green Card in the Turkish context is a form of health insurance provided by the government to those who can prove they are unable to support themselves financially. It allows them to receive free healthcare services from government hospitals. In the script, it is mentioned as the first type of healthcare available, emphasizing the social welfare aspect of the Turkish healthcare system.

💡Bakur

Bakur, as used in the script, refers to the health insurance paid by business owners in Turkey. It is a mandatory insurance that covers not only healthcare but also retirement. The script explains that the cost is borne by the company and provides an example of the monthly payment, illustrating how business owners are integrated into the healthcare system.

💡SGK

SGK stands for Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu, which is the Social Security Institution in Turkey. It is a form of health insurance for employees, paid by the company they work for, and covers full healthcare at government hospitals. The script discusses SGK as one of the common types of insurance, highlighting its role in providing healthcare services to the working population.

💡GSS

GSS refers to the Green Card Health Insurance, a voluntary health insurance scheme for those who are not employed or do not own a business. It provides free healthcare at government hospitals for a small monthly fee. The script uses GSS to illustrate an affordable option for those not covered by other forms of insurance.

💡Retirement Salary

Retirement Salary is a benefit mentioned in the script that is associated with the Bakur and SGK insurance schemes. It is a form of pension paid by the government to individuals after they reach a certain age and have made a specified number of payments into the system. The concept is used to show the dual benefit of the insurance schemes, providing both healthcare and financial support in old age.

💡Affordability

Affordability in the context of the video refers to the cost of healthcare services and insurance in Turkey. The script emphasizes the low cost of healthcare, such as the GSS package, and compares it favorably to other countries, highlighting the accessible nature of Turkish healthcare.

💡Foreign Investors

Foreign Investors are individuals or entities from outside Turkey who are interested in investing in the country. The script addresses the types of insurance packages available to them, indicating that there are private insurance options as well as governmental insurance packages for those seeking citizenship.

💡Private Insurance

Private Insurance is a type of health insurance provided by private companies, which offer various packages with different coverage levels. The script mentions that private insurance is an option for foreigners and that the hosts can guide investors to reliable insurance companies, showing the diversity of options available in the Turkish healthcare market.

💡Quality of Care

Quality of Care refers to the standard of medical services provided. The script asserts that the quality of healthcare in Turkey is high, with well-educated and experienced doctors and nurses, and advanced equipment in government hospitals. This keyword is used to reassure potential investors and patients about the reliability of Turkish healthcare services.

💡Cosmetic Surgeries

Cosmetic Surgeries are mentioned as a popular service in Turkey, particularly for foreigners seeking affordable and high-quality procedures. The script uses this keyword to illustrate the reputation of Turkish healthcare beyond basic medical services, indicating that Turkey is also a destination for elective medical treatments.

Highlights

Turkish healthcare is often considered free, but there are specific conditions and categories that determine its availability.

The 'Green Card' provides completely free healthcare for those who can prove they are unable to support themselves.

Business owners, known as 'balker' in Turkish, pay for their own insurance, which also covers retirement.

Insurance for business owners costs approximately 1200 Turkish Liras per month and includes healthcare and retirement benefits.

Retirement eligibility is linked to age and the number of working days contributed, typically 7000 days for both genders.

SGK insurance applies to employees and is paid by the employing company, covering full healthcare and retirement.

GSS is a form of insurance for those without formal employment, providing free healthcare at a cost of 107 Turkish Liras per month.

Healthcare coverage in Turkey often extends to family members, including spouses and children up to certain ages.

Foreign investors in Turkey have access to a variety of private insurance packages.

For those seeking Turkish citizenship, there are governmental insurance packages available alongside private options.

The quality of Turkish healthcare is considered high, with well-educated and experienced medical staff.

Government hospitals in Turkey are well-equipped and offer advanced treatments, including for cancer.

Affordability is a key feature of Turkish healthcare, with treatments like cancer being largely free in government hospitals.

Medicines are predominantly provided by the government, ensuring affordability for most treatments.

The GSS package, costing 107 Liras per month, allows for unlimited visits to government hospitals.

Private insurance packages may have limitations on doctor visits but can be more convenient for some.

Emergency medical services in Turkey are free, even for those who are uninsured.

Turkey is known for affordable dental treatments, hair transplants, and cosmetic surgeries, attracting patients from abroad.

Transcripts

[Music]

assalamualaikum everyone this is josefan

from biggest and west turkey and as you

know we've been getting a lot of

questions from our investors and clients

about general things so we thought why

not start a podcast series answering all

of those questions and today we're going

to talk about the turkish health care

and i thought who better to ask this

question rather than mr acute or

licensed expert and at the same time our

co-founder uh so welcome your circus how

are you i'm doing fine how about you i'm

good too so mr good

one of the most important questions

is turkish healthcare really free yeah

which is the most frequent ask question

actually regarding the healthcare system

and in turkey

the health is free but somehow free not

free for everybody actually

let me give you a detailed information

regarding to the turkish healthcare

system because in turkish healthcare

system there are four

kind different kind of healthcare that

that

that the citizens of turkey can get

benefit the very first thing this is i'm

making this group to make it simple for

you guys to to understand it indeed

so

the very first thing is

green card which is totally free head

care and this green card is being

provided for only

people who are able to claim who are

able to prove that they are poor and

they have no money to maintain their

homes so government

gives provides green card for those

people to get free health

services from any government hospital

okay this is the very first one but you

have to prove that you cannot provide

for yourself exactly you have to prove

it with the required documents

another one for the business owners

which we call in turkish balker

so if you are a business owner

your insurance will be paid by yourself

by your company actually

so your company will pay for your

insurance which is approximately 1200

turkish liras in this year early

yearly uh this is uh sorry this is

monthly money yeah uh so one thousand

two approximately one thousand two

hundred turkey shares monthly uh which

is uh paid by the company that you own

and this is not only insurance this is

also your retirement

so

after a certain date of payment

you will be eligible to

return your retirement salary and there

is also edge specified h limit for it

which is 65 for the male and if i'm not

mistaken 60 for the female so once you

reach this age and once you fill the

required date of payment which is

approximately 7 000 working days

you will be able to start collecting

your retirement salary from the

government

and plus during this time period where

you are paying your monthly

backup

you are also free to get

any kind of

health service at any kind of government

hospital

so the the last two ones are actually

the same thing which is called sgk

and this is applying for the employees

for the

people who are working in the companies

so

these people are being insured by the

company which employed them

and again the cost is approximately the

same 1200

turkish lira permanent

for the sgk and it covers the full

health care in all the government

hospitals

again and this also provides the

retirement salary as well after

fulfilling 7000 working days plus the

age limit exactly same as the bank of 65

years for the mail

so

the payment of this as

sgk

being

paid by the mostly being paid by the

company that employed you okay not from

from your salary this is usually how it

is in the market but it depends on your

working contract yeah

sometimes they make contract from the

gross so it will be deducted from the

salary sometimes they

you agree on the net salary so you

collect your nasties it depends on you

and your employer exactly that's how it

is and another one is for those actually

most of our investors are making which

is called gss

this is actually exactly providing the

same

features of sgk free healthcare at all

the government hospitals but you are

paying monthly in this year monthly you

are paying 107 turkish liras

and

you have no retirement because as you

see this is

almost 1 out of 10 of the sgk so you

have only free healthcare at any kind of

government hospitals

this is

what usually people who have no work

and who have no business

and who has no need for money this is

what they do actually they give 107 era

and monthly monthly and it will save

all the health care

and by the way

you didn't ask but let me tell let me

also give this information i'm pretty

sure people are having this question

mark as well is it going to cover the

whole family

so yes

if

any member of the family in terms of

wife and husband if husband has bakur it

it covers the health care of the wife

and children

up the age of 18

if they are still studying any

university then the age limit goes up to

24. okay

but if they have no regis school

registry after 18 years old then they

are not included with the insurance of

the family

and same for gss same for sgk if one

member get insured it covered the family

and children up to 18 years old if they

are studying up to 24 years old all

right and

however for the retirement there will be

only of course one retirement salary

but if both members wife and husband are

working at the same time and they are

getting issued

at the same time so they will have two

retirement salaries

so this was for turkish citizens now as

you know we have a lot of foreign

investors and

what kind of insurances do they prefer

well for foreigners there are of course

lots of

private insurance packages from

different several companies they're all

different offering different packages if

you ask about our investors if it is not

a citizenship investment we also of

course guide them to the reliable

insurance companies and

help them to get the offers

if they

if our investor is looking for

citizenship and willing to live in

turkey of course we help them also for

having these governmental insurance

packages as well as uh the private

insurances okay it makes sense yeah now

last question mr couture turkish i you

would know about this better than me

and our investors too

in your opinion is turkish healthcare

really good if you compare it to other

countries

well i have lived in us for quite a long

time so

that's what i can compare

our healthcare system is definitely very

high quality especially our

teams the doctors and nurses are very

high quality and very well educated they

have too much experience actually

so i can basically say

any kind of illness i have i will never

think about having a treatment abroad

i would definitely choose the turkish

doctors turkish hospitals

in turkey all most of the government

hospitals are also having all the high

quality equipment which are necessary

for any kind of treatment

in terms of cancer treatment turkish

hospitals are very well improved and

they are offering all the equipments and

other necessary

stuff for for the trade what about

affordability affordability for example

cancer treatment is totally free in the

government hospitals

so even in the private hospitals

government is covering some portion of

the costs you only pay for some extra

you know for having a much fancier room

etc so

in the medicine is being provided by the

government this is very important also

for any other illness as well most of

the medicines i can say 99 of the

medicines are being provided by the

government your insurance is covered

okay so that answers the question i

guess

turkish healthcare is almost free

almost almost free like 95

yeah for example the package gss

monthly only 107 lira yeah you can visit

government hospitals countless

all right

there is private insurance package for

example you pay yearly 1000 lira but you

have limited

doctor wizard within this package and

you can go to only selected

of course of course these are also

considerable

but i can say for 107 lira visiting

as much as doctor you want and getting

as much task as you want it's always

free it's almost almost if you compare

it to countries like america

yeah yeah and you ask even if you had an

emergency if you let's say pass out on

the way and if somebody calls an

ambulance for helping you yeah you are

responsible you're gonna wake up and

look at the villain exactly which

happened a very close friend of mine so

this happens unfortunately especially to

treatment dental treatment

in europe as well it's very expensive

during summer for example we have lots

of turkish origin europeans so they are

all coming

for their dental treatments and hair

transplants too exactly turkey these are

already famous i think our audience

already family cosmetic surgeries and

everything turkey is from

famous with foreign

so thank you so much mr kid

you answered all of the questions you

it was great talking to you i hope all

of the questions that are invested out

there answered thank you so much for

being here with us yeah it was my

pleasure

just staying tuned

if you have further questions right yeah

just comment them down below or contact

us on the whatsapp number given on the

screen

uh yeah i'm here to help you guys yeah

until next time take care of yourselves