What is TSS Complementary Health Insurance?
Tamamlayıcı Sağlık Sigortası (TSS) fills the gap between what the state SGK (Social Security Institution) pays and what private hospitals actually charge — the top-up fee and co-payments. When you visit a contracted private hospital, SGK pays its portion, and TSS pays the difference directly to the hospital. You pay nothing.
How it differs from private health insurance: Private health insurance is independent of SGK; anyone can take it out. TSS complements SGK and cannot function without it — it is available only to active SGK members, dependants, and retirees.
Core requirement: You must be an active SGK insured person, a registered dependant, or an SGK retiree. Without SGK coverage, TSS is not available — in that case, private health insurance is the appropriate alternative.
Coverage
What TSS covers
Private hospital top-up fee
The difference between SGK's tariff and the private hospital's actual charge at contracted facilities.
Co-payments
Co-payments for SGK-covered medications and medical supplies.
Diagnostic co-payment
Partially-covered SGK tests — the patient's share of the diagnostic fee.
What TSS does NOT cover
Non-SGK individuals
TSS cannot be purchased by anyone without SGK coverage; private health insurance is needed instead.
Dental and vision
Dental and vision treatments outside SGK scope are generally excluded from TSS as well.
Cosmetic procedures
Aesthetic treatments without medical necessity are excluded.
TSS or private health? If you have SGK, TSS is usually more cost-effective. If you have no SGK, private health insurance is the right solution. We can compare both for your specific situation.
Group TSS: Employers can arrange Group TSS for their employees — typically broader coverage and lower premiums than individual TSS. If your employer doesn't offer it, individual TSS is your next best option.
Exclusions
Note: The following are typically excluded from standard policies. Always read the policy wording carefully.
- Individuals without SGK coverage
- Treatments outside SGK scope
- Pre-existing chronic conditions (waiting period or exclusion may apply depending on the policy)
- Cosmetic and aesthetic procedures
- Dental and vision (generally excluded; policy-dependent)
Who is it for?
- Private-sector employees (4A/SSK): To access private hospitals without top-up fees.
- SGK retirees: Eliminate private hospital top-up costs on a pension income.
- Self-employed (Bağ-Kur / 4B) members: Freelancers and tradespeople with SGK coverage.
- Civil servants (4C/Emekli Sandığı): Government employees and public retirees.