Reimbursement of Medical Costs Incurred Abroad

Turkey's Social Security Institution (SGK) pays for treatment abroad only in the cases set out in the regulation on general health insurance practice and the Health Implementation Communiqué. Each case comes with its own rules for foreign invoices, medical reports and their certification.

When SGK pays

For insured persons posted abroad, the employer pays first and then claims the costs from SGK with a document showing the posting, stating whether it is temporary or permanent, together with reports, invoices and other documents certified by the local consulate. For people abroad for other reasons, the regulation says that without a social security agreement covering health benefits, SGK does not pay health costs or travel, daily and companion expenses.

Where tests or treatment are not possible in Türkiye, SGK pays for treatment abroad once a health board report has been confirmed by the health board SGK designates and the Ministry of Health has approved that the treatment cannot be done in Türkiye. Costs are paid either by transfer to the foreign provider's bank account or to the insured person against documents for the amount paid; test fees are paid on the amount shown on the provider's invoice or equivalent document.

Translation and certification

For advance payments, SGK may ask that documents and reports issued by foreign health providers be translated and certified by the mission, meaning the embassy, permanent representation, consulate general or consulate in the country of treatment. It may also accept translations made by authorised translators that the insured person submits. If treatment abroad takes longer for medical reasons, the medical justification is sent to SGK through the mission.

SGK says that once it approves treatment abroad, the report and other documents are sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for coordination with the hospital and for certifying and translating documents issued during or after treatment; the health board report and other documents also go to the provincial social security directorate.

We translate foreign invoices and medical reports into Turkish in Ankara through translators sworn before a Turkish notary; whether a translation is accepted for a claim is SGK's decision.