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 Güvenlik 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. [1]Source: Social Insurance and General Health Insurance Law No. 5510 — Article 65 (Travel and Transfer Expenses) — T.C. Mevzuat Bilgi Sistemi

This guide explains when SGK does and does not cover ambulance costs, the referral-system exception, the duty to provide first aid in a genuine emergency, private insurance options, payment methods, and the documents needed for an insurance claim.

When SGK Does and Does Not Cover Ambulance Costs

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. [1]Source: Social Insurance and General Health Insurance Law No. 5510 — Article 65 (Travel and Transfer Expenses) — T.C. Mevzuat Bilgi Sistemi For this reimbursement to apply, all of the following conditions must be met:

• A medical necessity report from the referring facility (explaining why normal transport is unsuitable)
• The ambulance type specified (ground ambulance or patient transport vehicle)
• An invoice/receipt submitted
• SGK approval

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. [1]Source: Social Insurance and General Health Insurance Law No. 5510 — Article 65 (Travel and Transfer Expenses) — T.C. Mevzuat Bilgi Sistemi

Patient-Initiated Calls: Not Covered

When a patient or family directly calls a private ambulance, SGK does not reimburse the cost. This rule is independent of the service type:

It applies regardless of the medical urgency, whether the patient has active SGK coverage, or whether a doctor prescribed the transport.

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 Duty to Provide First Aid in an Emergency

A patient-requested service is paid, but the duty to provide first aid in an emergency a crew actually encounters is a separate matter. This duty does not arise from the Ambulance Services Regulation; it stems from the obligation of physicians and health personnel to help in an emergency. Article 3 of Turkey's Medical Deontology Regulation requires a physician to "provide first aid in urgent cases where the necessary care cannot otherwise be obtained, unless prevented by force majeure," and Article 10 of the TTB Code of Medical Ethics sets out the physician's duty to render emergency aid. [6]Source: Medical Deontology Regulation (Tıbbi Deontoloji Tüzüğü) — Article 3 — T.C. Mevzuat Bilgi Sistemi [7]Source: TTB Code of Medical Ethics — Article 10 (Emergency Aid) — Turkish Medical Association (TTB)

Dispatch by the 112 Command Center (SKKM)

The Health Command and Control Center (SKKM), within the Provincial Health Directorate, may task a private ambulance under certain conditions — for example, when all 112 ambulances are occupied, during disasters or mass-casualty incidents, or when the nearest suitable vehicle happens to be a private ambulance.

Turkish regulation contains no explicit provision stating that no fee may be charged for cases assigned by the SKKM; the regulation only sets minimum/maximum tariffs for ambulance services. Tasking conditions and any applicable charge should be clarified with the relevant provincial health directorate. [1]Source: Social Insurance and General Health Insurance Law No. 5510 — Article 65 (Travel and Transfer Expenses) — T.C. Mevzuat Bilgi Sistemi

An Emergency Encountered on the Road

If a licensed private ambulance crew encounters a traffic accident or acute emergency during an operation (while transporting a patient or returning from a mission), providing first aid is a professional and ethical obligation. The basis for this duty is Article 3 of the Medical Deontology Regulation and Article 10 of the TTB Code of Medical Ethics; the Ambulance Services Regulation itself contains no specific "must respond to an emergency encountered on the road" clause. [6]Source: Medical Deontology Regulation (Tıbbi Deontoloji Tüzüğü) — Article 3 — T.C. Mevzuat Bilgi Sistemi [7]Source: TTB Code of Medical Ethics — Article 10 (Emergency Aid) — Turkish Medical Association (TTB)

For the actual first intervention provided to a genuine emergency encountered on the road, no fee is expected from the patient — it is part of health personnel's duty to help. A transfer service the patient requests directly, by contrast, is always paid.

Private Health Insurance Coverage

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

Questions to Ask Your Insurer Before the Service

1. Does my policy cover private ambulance services?
2. Is there a coverage difference between planned transfers and emergency calls?
3. Is intercity transfer included?
4. Are ICU ambulances and doctor-led ambulances covered?
5. Is there an annual limit or a per-incident limit?
6. Which documents are required for reimbursement?
7. Is pre-authorization required?

Confirming coverage before the service avoids surprise costs, ensures the documents are complete, starts any pre-authorization process, and speeds up reimbursement.

Required Documents for Insurance Claims

If your private health insurance covers ambulance services, the following documents are generally required for a reimbursement claim:

Common Document Errors

• Missing invoice details: a missing national ID or tax number is a common reason for claim rejection
• Missing service report: many insurers require a service report in addition to the invoice
• Ambulance type not specified: the emergency-care vs. patient-transport distinction can affect policy coverage
• Late submission: some insurers require filing within a set period after the service date

Nova Ambulans prepares all documents as standard and supports the reimbursement process.

Who Pays the Cost?

For standard private ambulance services, the cost is paid by the patient or their family, regardless of the service type:

• Planned transfer (home to hospital, hospital to home)
• Discharge transfer
• Intercity patient transport
• Inter-hospital transfer
• Doctor-led ambulance service
• ICU ambulance transport

Payment Methods

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

• Cash: before or after the service
• Credit/debit card: via the in-vehicle mobile POS
• Bank transfer / EFT
• All services are invoiced: a tax-compliant invoice is issued

KVKK (Data Protection) Compliance

Personal health data collected during ambulance service is classified as special-category personal data under Turkey's Personal Data Protection Law No. 6698 (KVKK). Nova Ambulans obtains informed consent from patients and relatives, processes personal health data only for service and legal-obligation purposes, stores it securely, and shares data for insurance reimbursement only with the patient's consent.

112 vs. Private Ambulance: The SGK Perspective

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the SGK difference between 112 and a private ambulance?

112 services are free under SGK and funded from the public budget. Private ambulance services called directly by the patient are not covered by SGK. However, under the SGK referral system, ambulance costs for inter-hospital transfers made with a medical necessity report may be partially reimbursed at minimum rates. [1]Source: Social Insurance and General Health Insurance Law No. 5510 — Article 65 (Travel and Transfer Expenses) — T.C. Mevzuat Bilgi Sistemi

Must a private ambulance respond to an emergency it encounters on the road?

Yes. A licensed private ambulance crew must provide first aid to a genuine emergency it actually encounters during a mission. This duty stems not from the Ambulance Services Regulation but from health personnel's obligation to help in an emergency (Medical Deontology Regulation Article 3; TTB Code of Medical Ethics Article 10). No fee is expected for that actual first intervention. [6]Source: Medical Deontology Regulation (Tıbbi Deontoloji Tüzüğü) — Article 3 — T.C. Mevzuat Bilgi Sistemi [7]Source: TTB Code of Medical Ethics — Article 10 (Emergency Aid) — Turkish Medical Association (TTB)

Will private insurance definitely cover it?

No. Coverage depends entirely on the policy terms. Confirming with your insurer before the service is recommended. Nova Ambulans provides the required documents as standard.

Can SGK reimburse a private ambulance via the referral system?

Yes, but only under specific conditions. For inter-hospital transfers made with a physician's referral from an SGK-contracted facility, the ambulance cost may be partially reimbursed at minimum rates with a medical necessity report and an invoice. A private ambulance the patient calls directly is not included. [1]Source: Social Insurance and General Health Insurance Law No. 5510 — Article 65 (Travel and Transfer Expenses) — T.C. Mevzuat Bilgi Sistemi

Is the situation the same for SGK retirees?

In this process, yes. SGK coverage does not extend to patient-requested private ambulance services, whether the person is an active worker, a retiree, or a dependent. The referral-system rules are the same for all SGK members.

Can payment be made without an invoice?

No. All private ambulance services are invoiced. Be cautious of providers offering services without an invoice; this may indicate a licensing and legal-compliance problem.

Related Articles

• What Determines Private Ambulance Costs? — Factors that shape ambulance pricing and a transparent fee policy.
• Difference Between 112 and a Private Ambulance — Key differences between 112 emergency services and private ambulances.

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