British expats in Turkey are sick and tired with the government‘s meddling with private medical insurance rules.
In April 2014, the government demanded all expats over 65 years old should take out compulsory private health insurance.
Now, the decision has been overturned, leaving many expats with expensive insurance they no longer need.
The issue came about when the Turkish government decided to shift the burden of the cost of healthcare for the over 65s from the public purse to individual expats.
The edict was that any expat seeking permanent residence in Turkey should buy private medical cover or pay in to the state health scheme.
Talking Turkey
However, both options came with significant costs that triggered an outcry from expats from several European nations – including Britain.
The British Consul in Istanbul stepped into the row after a flood of protests and after behind-the-scenes negotiations, the Turkish government agreed the U-turn.
The problem for elderly expats was the cost of health cover.
Many delayed plans to apply for residency because of the charges involved. Some expats could not buy cover because of pre-existing health conditions and many were quoted annual premiums of up to £1,400.
Expats accused medical insurers of profiteering because they knew expats had to buy the insurance and claimed they could not afford the cover when living on a tight, fixed pension income.
British Consul Timothy Fisher said: “Many British expats aged over 65 were coming to us complaining they could not buy cover, so could not apply for residency. We took this issue up with the government and they decided to drop the requirement.”
Payment options
Under the revised rules, expats have the option of choosing to pay for their own healthcare or taking out private medical insurance.
However, some expats feel that abolishing the rule was pointless.
“Out of everyone here who is most likely to need medical care, surely it is the over 65s,” said one comment on a Facebook page for British expats in Turkey.
Reversing the decision has also sparked other complaints from the over 65s who took the decision to buy private health cover but now find they could pay their own medical bills if they could afford the cost.
Some expats bought policies the day before the government announced the new policy and face paying between £75 and £115 a month for health cover until their contract ends in a year’s time.
