Newsletters
On 20 October 2025, the Official Gazette published a significant update to Türkiye's Private Health Insurance Regulation, issued by the Insurance and Private Pension Regulation and Supervision Authority (SEDDK). The changes clarify the legal framework for private health insurers and expand protections for policyholders, including foreign residents holding temporary Turkish ID numbers.
A key feature of the update is the clear delineation of scope. Travel health insurance and standard “Foreigners Health Insurance” policies are explicitly excluded, while Private Health Insurance and Complementary Health Insurance policies are fully covered. This distinction eliminates longstanding confusion between short-term tourist products and comprehensive health coverage for residents.
The regulation strengthens insurers’ duty to inform. Companies must now provide detailed guidance throughout contract negotiations, ensuring transparency on technical aspects, policy terms, and obligations. Importantly, insurers can access relevant medical and administrative data through the Insurance Information and Monitoring Center (SBGM/Merkez) to assess risk and set premiums appropriately, reinforcing data-driven underwriting practices.
Another pivotal reform concerns waiting periods. Waiting periods now apply only to the initial policy term. Renewed policies under the same plan are exempt, while transfers to a new insurer generally do not trigger new waiting periods, provided certain conditions are met. This approach offers policyholders greater continuity and predictability.
The centerpiece of the revision is the lifetime renewal guarantee. Insurers are required to offer this guarantee for Private Health Insurance and Complementary Health Insurance policies to eligible individuals under 60 years of age. Conditions for entitlement—such as three consecutive years under the same plan and maintaining claims-to-premium ratios below set thresholds—are now codified. Policyholders who secure this guarantee retain it even if they switch insurers or move from group to individual plans, though specific rules apply to transfers. Notably, simpler Foreigners Health Insurance plans are not covered by this provision.
Group contracts and participation certificates are also addressed. Employees leaving a group can transfer their coverage to an individual plan within specified periods, preserving their lifetime renewal rights.
Overall, these reforms aim to enhance transparency, protect policyholder rights, and standardize market practices. Insurers will need to adjust pricing models and internal processes, particularly with the formalization of claims data monitoring and lifetime guarantees. While some industry players may view these requirements as operationally demanding, the measures mark a significant step toward a more predictable and secure health insurance market in Türkiye.
1 min read
4 min read
