Does Turkish Social Security (SGK) Cover Private Ambulance Services?

One of the most common questions families ask when booking a private ambulance in Turkey is whether SGK (Sosyal Guvenlik Kurumu, the Turkish social security institution) will cover the cost. The short answer: SGK does not cover private ambulance services called directly by the patient [1]Source: Social Insurance and General Health Insurance Law No. 5510 — Article 65 (Travel and Transfer Expenses) — T.C. Mevzuat Bilgi Sistemi. However, under the SGK referral (sevk) system, ambulance costs for inter-hospital transfers with a medical necessity report may be partially reimbursed at minimum regulated rates.

When SGK Does and Does Not Cover Ambulance Costs

Patient-Initiated Calls: Not Covered

When a patient or family directly calls a private ambulance, SGK does not reimburse the cost. This applies regardless of:

• The medical urgency of the case
• Whether the patient has active SGK coverage
• Whether the transfer is between SGK-contracted hospitals
• Whether a doctor prescribed the ambulance transport

SGK Referral (Sevk) System: Partially Covered

SGK can reimburse ambulance transport costs when a patient is officially referred from one SGK-contracted healthcare facility to another due to medical necessity. For this reimbursement to apply:

• The referring facility must issue a medical necessity report explaining why normal transport is unsuitable
• The referral must follow the official SGK sevk procedure
• A receipt/invoice must be submitted
• Reimbursement is calculated at the minimum rates set by the Ambulance Services Regulation — any amount above the minimum is paid by the patient

This typically applies to inter-hospital transfers where the referring hospital lacks the required specialist or equipment.

Why Direct Calls Are Not Reimbursed

SGK covers the cost of 112 emergency services, which are operated by the government and dispatched free of charge for life-threatening emergencies. Private ambulance services, by contrast, are commercial healthcare logistics providers operating outside the SGK reimbursement framework.

The Social Indication Exception

Turkish regulations include a social indication (sosyal endikasyon) provision. Under this rule, if a private ambulance encounters an acute emergency during a transfer or is directed by the 112 dispatch center to respond to a nearby incident, the ambulance crew must provide free emergency care. This is a legal obligation, not a billing arrangement — the ambulance company absorbs the cost.

Private Health Insurance Coverage

Unlike SGK, private health insurance policies (ozel saglik sigortasi) may cover private ambulance costs partially or fully, depending on the policy terms. Coverage varies significantly between insurers and plans.

Before booking a private ambulance, it is advisable to:

1. Contact your insurance provider to confirm ambulance coverage
2. Ask whether pre-authorization is required
3. Confirm which documents the insurer needs for reimbursement
4. Check whether the policy covers intercity or only intra-city transfers

Required Documents for Insurance Claims

Nova Ambulans provides the following documentation as standard:

• Detailed invoice with service type, date, route, and crew details
• Transfer report signed by the attending paramedic or doctor
• Patient consent form (KVKK-compliant)
• Medical necessity documentation when available from the referring physician

Payment Methods

Since SGK does not apply, private ambulance services are paid directly. Nova Ambulans accepts:

• Cash
• Credit/debit card (mobile POS in the ambulance)
• Bank transfer
• Corporate invoice

For questions about pricing and payment, contact Nova Ambulans at +90 216 339 00 39 or visit the pricing page.