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Türkiye: Insurance and payment

Leukaemia treatment is expensive, but in Türkiye most costs are paid by public insurance. This chapter explains insurance and payment rules.

Last updated: ~1 min read
On a dark navy background, a shield of light over coins.
Figure 1.Insurance protects against costs.

01Short answer

The main payer in Türkiye is SGK’s General Health Insurance (GSS); for employees the premium is deducted from salary, and for people without income the state may pay. GSS covers diagnosis, hospital treatment, chemotherapy, transfusions and transplants. Outpatient visits and medicines may carry a small co-payment (katılım payı). Private hospitals contracted with SGK may charge an extra fee (ilave ücret), which complementary insurance can cover. Foreigners are in a different position: without insurance they pay the full price or use private international insurance.

02Simple explanation

GSS: the main public insurance.

Katılım payı: a small co-payment.

İlave ücret: an extra fee in private hospitals.

03Scientific explanation

Coverage: the WHO European Observatory’s Türkiye profile describes GSS covering most of the population and paying for services according to SGK’s benefits list.

Managing costs: the NCI advises asking about costs in advance, keeping receipts and talking to a financial counsellor.

04What happens in the body?

Public insurance

With GSS you can be treated in state, university and contracted private hospitals. Check your status on e-Devlet.

On a dark navy background, two blank cards side by side.
Figure 3.Public and complementary insurance.

Extra costs

A private hospital may charge extra for services, rooms and choice of doctor. Ask for everything in a written estimate.

On a dark navy background, a blank estimate sheet and a pen.
Figure 2.Ask for a written estimate.

Foreigners

Uninsured foreigners pay the full price. Check in advance whether your international insurer settles directly with the hospital.

05Payment in four steps

From status to receipts.

Status — Is GSS active?1StatusIs GSS active?
Co-payment — How much?2Co-paymentHow much?
Estimate — In writing at private hospitals.3EstimateIn writing at private hospitals.
Receipts — Keep them all.4ReceiptsKeep them all.
No surprisesCosts are known in advance.
ProtectionInsurance works.
ContinuityTreatment does not stop.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
Public insuranceWith GSS you can be treated in state, university and contracted private hospitals. Check your status on e-Devlet.
Extra costsA private hospital may charge extra for services, rooms and choice of doctor. Ask for everything in a written estimate.
ForeignersUninsured foreigners pay the full price. Check in advance whether your international insurer settles directly with the hospital.

07Key terms

GSS
General Health Insurance.
Katılım payı
Co-payment.
İlave ücret
Extra fee.
Tamamlayıcı sağlık sigortası
Complementary private insurance.

08Key points

  • GSS is the main payer.
  • Check your status.
  • A small co-payment is possible.
  • Written estimate in private care.
  • The social worker can help.

09Frequently asked questions

Is chemotherapy paid for?

Mostly by GSS; for medicines off the list there is the TEB route.

Is a transplant covered?

GSS covers transplants in appropriate cases; ask the centre for exact conditions.

Will my foreign insurance work?

Get written pre-authorisation from your insurer.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. Is chemotherapy paid for?

  2. Is a transplant covered?

  3. Will my foreign insurance work?

My questions

12Sources

  1. Social Security Institution of Türkiye (SGK). General health insurance (Genel Sağlık Sigortası, in Turkish)
  2. Ministry of Health of the Republic of Türkiye. Official website
  3. European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies (WHO). Türkiye: health system information and resources
  4. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Managing Costs and Medical Information
  5. Tibbqazeti.az (AZERTAC). International conference marking ten years of bone marrow transplantation in Azerbaijan, 2024 (in Azerbaijani)
  6. European Reference Network on Rare Haematological Diseases. EuroBloodNet
  7. European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA). MedCOI Topical Report: Georgia, Haematology, 2026 (PDF)
  8. New Hospitals (Tbilisi). Center of Oncohematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation
  9. National Research Oncology Center (Astana). Center of Oncohematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation (in Russian)
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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