SGK

[Ian]

We got our letter today. As we have only had an RP for 6 weeks we thought that if we received anything it would be an offer to join in 12 months but it seems we are being told we can join now.

Does that mean we have to join and join now?

Ian (confused - I feel a trip to Atak coming on)  

[Julesp]

Fig has someone coming to our coffee morning this week to answer questions about the scheme, Hopefully he will be able to iron out most of these queries. Last week we had people from the Esnaf but they werent able to tell us much about the scheme itself, just how it works when using them

[jackstee]

As mentioned before, we only got our residency this year and were told to wait for one year before applying. But my question is :

Are we covered for our first year or not. ?

[quackers]

I would say No as you have not paid any money into the SGK fund and are not registered on they're system yet.

[LeeGlo]

Well here's a quick update as promised to Evie. We went first to the SGK office on Monday morning to make sure we were actually on the system. Computer says yeah ... Lady says go to Ziraat Bank, give husbands kimlik number and pay.

So off to Ziraat Bank we go, stand in line for about 20 minutes, not too bad as some folks looked like they'd been there all morning. Anyway, we still couldn't pay, the chap on the counter said the SGK payment system was down. So we can look forward to another trip to Fethiye later in the week.

Wouldn't it have been much better for all concerned if they (SGK) had sorted out an account number to give to everyone so that they could pay into it by direct debit from their own bank ? Ah - but that would be logical LOL.

[Diverbaz 1]

We registered on the 24th January, went into Ziraat bank today to try and pay, only to find out we are not on the system yet.

[Ian]

Does anyone know if you start paying and your circumstances change and you return to the UK permanently other than holidays can you just stop paying and revert to travel insurance without and issues or penalties or do you have to pay until your visa runs out ?

[cinders]

Hi Ian

quote:Does anyone know if you start paying and your circumstances change and you return to the UK permanently other than holidays can you just stop paying and revert to travel insurance without and issues or penalties or do you have to pay until your visa runs out ?

We were told yesterday, 'if you stop paying for 3 months you will be removed from the system.[?] Nothing mentioned about rejoining the system or paying a fine, however ... if you are late paying  (i.e. a few days )there will be a small fine!!!!! If you check on the forum there is to be a meeting today at FIG perhaps they can offer more info.  Regards   C

[Colin White]

Just found this. Should help with any decision making regarding registering:
Two weeks of uncertainty and conjecture is hopefully over as the British Embassy clarify the UHI rules with the Turkish Authorities.

The Embassy issued the following information on their website late yesterday:

<<START OF STATEMENT>>

"This is an update to our notice earlier today 25 January about the sudden changes to the Turkish health insurance system which have introduced compulsory state health insurance for foreigners when they have been in Turkey as registered residents for over a year. Foreigners in this category are required to join the system by the end of January or face a fine for non-payment.

The Ambassador and a consular team called on the Turkish authorities today. He set our concerns over the substance, cost, lack of clarity and short notice of the change that has been announced.

After further discussion, we have established with the Turkish authorities that the situation is now as follows:

- Following our representations, the new compulsory requirement to register for Turkish health insurance will NOT (NOT) apply to British residents in Turkey.

- But British residents who have already chosen to join the Turkish system will be allowed to continue in it.

- And other British residents will be allowed to join the Turkish scheme if they wish to do so.

- Under the rules in their current form, those who have been resident for over a year and delay joining the Turkish system beyond the deadline of 31 January 2012 can choose to join later; but they would have to make a backdated payment to cover the period from 31 January if they had been resident in Turkey for a year at that date, and pay a fine.

- We are in continuing contact with the Turkish authorities over all this, including about the fine given that the situation remains confused and that our resident community members have not had adequate time or information to make such an important decision.

- We will let you know as soon as we have more information."

<<END OF STATEMENT>>

The above is taken from the British FCO website verbatim as of 25.01.12 at 23.15 UTC

[Scunner]

Very interesting - as it was a month ago when it first appeared on CBF: {A Link to an old CBF topic was here - no longer available}45259&whichpage=31