Turkey’s SGK announces sharp increase in healthcare fees
Turkey’s Social Security Institution (SGK), the state social security body, has announced a significant increase in patient contributions for healthcare services. This decision is part of an adjustment to the country’s healthcare implementation guidelines (Sağlık Uygulama Tebliği) and is expected to reallocate a larger portion of healthcare costs to individual citizens.
New co-payments for medical consultations and examinations are effective immediately. Patients visiting private hospitals will now face a 100 Turkish Lira (TL) fee. For second-level state hospitals, the charge has been set at 50 TL, while those using educational, research, or university hospitals will pay 90 TL.
The dramatic increase, which reaches up to 246 percent in some cases, will undoubtedly place an additional financial burden on many Turkish households. Healthcare is a fundamental necessity, and such adjustments directly impact the cost of living and the purchasing power of individuals and families across Turkey.
This move by SGK aligns with broader economic adjustments in Turkey, as the state continuously works to manage public finances and service delivery. The rise in healthcare fees can be seen as a measure to balance expenditures in the health sector, with the immediate consequence that the population will bear more of their medical costs.
Source: Bloomberght
