Guide to SGK Examination Fees and Patient Rights in Private Hospitals
Legal regulations regarding co-payments, additional fee limits, and patient rights for health services provided under the SGK in private hospitals have been explained.
Social Security Expert Ceyda Eresen has issued important warnings for patients under the Social Security Institution (SGK) to protect their rights against pricing issues encountered in private hospitals. Stating that the examination co-payment rose to 100 TRY as of July 1, 2026, Eresen emphasized that hospitals cannot demand additional fees contrary to regulations.
Three Different Payment Items
The fees paid by patients receiving treatment in private hospitals do not consist of a single item. Social Security Expert Ceyda Eresen states that patients need to know the difference between examination co-payments, additional fees, and services not covered by the SGK. Legally, it is important to question under which item each requested fee is demanded.
Examination Co-payment and the Situation of Retirees
With the regulation made on July 1, 2026 under the Health Implementation Communiqué, the examination co-payment in secondary and tertiary private healthcare institutions was set at 100 TRY. Since the co-payment for retirees is directly deducted from their pensions, fees requested in cash from them at the hospital payment desk should not be considered under this scope.
Additional Fee Limit and the 200 Percent Rule
Private hospitals have the right to request an additional fee of at most 200 percent over the service cost determined by the SGK. This percentage is calculated not over the price set by the hospital itself, but over the amount specified by the SGK for that procedure in the Health Implementation Communiqué. Furthermore, hospitals are required to report these rates to the SGK and publicly announce them.
Requirement of Prior Written Consent
According to the legislation, written consent must be obtained from the patient or their relative before the procedure in order to charge additional fees to patients. High bills encountered for the first time at the payment desk after examinations and procedures are completed constitute a violation of legal rules. Additional fees cannot be requested after the fact by citing justifications without prior written consent.
Physicians' SGK Contracts and Emergency Room Rules
Not all physicians in private hospitals are required to provide services within the scope of the SGK. According to the 2026 contract, it is deemed sufficient for at least 60 percent of the physicians in hospitals to be contracted with the SGK. On the other hand, it is stated that in genuine emergency cases in emergency departments, no additional fee or co-payment can be charged to patients under any circumstances, and financial sanctions will be imposed on non-compliant institutions.