Can you join the UHI system?

I have received a question about Universal Health Insurance, or UHI, from Mrs. Jackson.
I have received a question about Universal Health Insurance, or UHI, from Mrs. Jackson. She says:
Dear Sadettin,
I was very interested to read your article dated Dec. 18 on the subject of health insurance as this is of great concern to my husband and myself. We are British citizens, both in our 70s and have been resident in Turkey for 20 years. We have no health insurance in Turkey: in the U.K. of course we would be covered by the National Health System. In your article, you mention the “reciprocity principle” - I wonder just what this is. If we qualify, we would certainly be interested in joining the UHI system. Could you tell us just what this entails and to whom do we apply? One more question: Does the monthly payment (at the time of press 166 Turkish Liras per month) cover both husband and wife or merely one individual? Thank you for any advice you may be able to offer. Kind regards.
Dear Jacksons,
As I emphasized in my article that you mentioned, two different health insurance systems are implemented in Turkey. One of them is UHI, while the other is private health insurance. According to law no. 5510, “Foreigners who are not insured under foreign legislation and have a residence permit for Turkey are considered insured under the Universal Health Insurance regime. However, the reciprocity principle is taken into consideration in granting that right.” In this condition, people who have a residence permit for Turkey and aren’t insured in a foreign country are considered within the framework of UHI provisions under the Law, number 5510. They must reside in Turkey for at least one year to be the right holder. After one year, it is begun to cut General Health Insurance Premium. Furthermore, it is necessary to take a citizenship number.
According to these provisions, if your health problems in Turkey are covered by the U.K. health insurance system, you cannot join the UHI in Turkey. Otherwise you can.
[HH] How much will you pay for UHI?
If you are registered as an UHI holder, you must pay premiums each month regularly. Assuming that you are insured in this month, you will pay 175 Turkish Liras (166 liras was for the 2009 year). After registering with the Social Security Institution, you can pay premiums to any bank. This monthly payment covers both husband and wife.
[HH] Where should you apply?
You must apply for UHI at the Social Security Center Directorate, or SSC (Sosyal Güvenlik Merkez Müdürlüğü). SSC directorates are located in every city and a lot of districts. Directorates can be found for example, in Istanbul, Bakırköy, Beşiktaş, Beyoğlu, Boğaziçi, Cağaloğlu, Cibali, Doğancılar, Fatih, Fındıklı, Gaziosmanpaşa, Kadıköy, Kurtköy, Küçükçekmece, Maltepe, Pendik, Şişli and Unkapanı. You can apply to the nearest center. When applying for UHI, remember to have these documents ready:
· Your residence permit
· Turkish ID number
· Your passport
After applying, you will be registered as an insured person.
Hurriyet Daily News/09.04.2010
I have received a question about Universal Health Insurance, or UHI, from Mrs. Jackson. She says:
Dear Sadettin,
I was very interested to read your article dated Dec. 18 on the subject of health insurance as this is of great concern to my husband and myself. We are British citizens, both in our 70s and have been resident in Turkey for 20 years. We have no health insurance in Turkey: in the U.K. of course we would be covered by the National Health System. In your article, you mention the “reciprocity principle” - I wonder just what this is. If we qualify, we would certainly be interested in joining the UHI system. Could you tell us just what this entails and to whom do we apply? One more question: Does the monthly payment (at the time of press 166 Turkish Liras per month) cover both husband and wife or merely one individual? Thank you for any advice you may be able to offer. Kind regards.
Dear Jacksons,
As I emphasized in my article that you mentioned, two different health insurance systems are implemented in Turkey. One of them is UHI, while the other is private health insurance. According to law no. 5510, “Foreigners who are not insured under foreign legislation and have a residence permit for Turkey are considered insured under the Universal Health Insurance regime. However, the reciprocity principle is taken into consideration in granting that right.” In this condition, people who have a residence permit for Turkey and aren’t insured in a foreign country are considered within the framework of UHI provisions under the Law, number 5510. They must reside in Turkey for at least one year to be the right holder. After one year, it is begun to cut General Health Insurance Premium. Furthermore, it is necessary to take a citizenship number.
According to these provisions, if your health problems in Turkey are covered by the U.K. health insurance system, you cannot join the UHI in Turkey. Otherwise you can.
[HH] How much will you pay for UHI?
If you are registered as an UHI holder, you must pay premiums each month regularly. Assuming that you are insured in this month, you will pay 175 Turkish Liras (166 liras was for the 2009 year). After registering with the Social Security Institution, you can pay premiums to any bank. This monthly payment covers both husband and wife.
[HH] Where should you apply?
You must apply for UHI at the Social Security Center Directorate, or SSC (Sosyal Güvenlik Merkez Müdürlüğü). SSC directorates are located in every city and a lot of districts. Directorates can be found for example, in Istanbul, Bakırköy, Beşiktaş, Beyoğlu, Boğaziçi, Cağaloğlu, Cibali, Doğancılar, Fatih, Fındıklı, Gaziosmanpaşa, Kadıköy, Kurtköy, Küçükçekmece, Maltepe, Pendik, Şişli and Unkapanı. You can apply to the nearest center. When applying for UHI, remember to have these documents ready:
· Your residence permit
· Turkish ID number
· Your passport
After applying, you will be registered as an insured person.
Hurriyet Daily News/09.04.2010