What Is Complementary Health Insurance and How Does It Work?
⏱ 2 min read
Complementary health insurance is designed for people covered by SGK who want to use private hospitals without paying the difference fee themselves. It does not replace SGK; it works with it, which is why premiums are considerably lower than private health insurance.
How it works
When you visit a private hospital contracted with SGK, part of the cost is met by SGK. The remainder is charged to you as a difference fee. If you hold a complementary policy, that amount is paid by your insurer within the policy limits. In practice you usually only present your ID and policy details.
The double-contract rule
This is the critical condition: the hospital must be contracted both with SGK and with the insurer issuing your policy. Always check your preferred hospitals before buying.
What it covers
Inpatient treatment — surgery, hospitalisation, intensive care — forms the core. Outpatient treatment is usually capped by a number of uses per year, and some plans exclude it entirely in exchange for a lower premium.
What it does not cover
Procedures outside SGK scope, cosmetic treatment, hospitals without an SGK contract, and undeclared pre-existing conditions. People without active SGK cover cannot buy this product.
Who is it for?
Anyone with SGK cover whose preferred hospitals are contracted — which describes most residents of Istanbul, including the Maslak, Ayazağa and Levent area, where several contracted facilities are within a short drive.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need SGK cover to buy it?
Yes. The product pays the difference above what SGK covers, so active SGK cover is required.
Is it valid in every private hospital?
No. The hospital must be contracted with both SGK and your insurer.
Related pages
Insurance advice in Maslak and the surrounding area
“What Is Complementary Health Insurance and How Does It Work?” is one of the questions we are asked most often by clients in Maslak, Levent and Seyrantepe. For families using SGK-contracted private hospitals around Maslak, complementary cover is usually the most efficient option; we check the network against your neighbourhood.
Our office is based in Maslak, Istanbul. We meet clients within a short drive — Maslak, Levent and Seyrantepe — or handle everything by phone, e-mail and WhatsApp, in Turkish and English. If you are searching on your phone for an insurance agency nearby, you can simply call +90 540 384 21 41 or see the related service page.
We compare policies from several insurers and explain the differences before you buy. Contact us or call +90 540 384 21 41.
