In 2024, Turkey’s Social Security Institution (SGK) experienced a 77% increase in healthcare expenditures. The report also highlighted limited oversight, with only a small number of hospitals audited and investigations into thousands of individuals suspected of unlawful benefits, leading to substantial financial losses for the institution.
Turkey’s Social Security Institution (SGK) saw a dramatic increase in health expenditures in 2024, reaching approximately 980.8 billion Turkish liras ($30.17 billion), a 77% rise from 2023’s 553.1 billion liras ($23.04 billion). The breakdown of the expenditures included 663.3 billion liras for treatment, 305.4 billion liras for medication, 4 billion for prescription service fees, and 7.6 billion liras under “other expenses.” Spending on private hospitals surged as well, from 34.5 billion liras in 2023 to 69.3 billion liras in 2024.
During the first nine months of 2023, SGK processed about 350,000 invoices worth 142.2 billion liras, while in the same period in 2024, that number rose to roughly 376,000 invoices totaling 235.6 billion liras, indicating rising drug prices. The average cost per prescription increased from 406 TL in 2023 to 627 TL in 2024.
The 2024 report highlighted limited regulatory oversight, with only 87 out of over 550 private hospitals audited. SGK also investigated 14,821 individuals suspected of unlawful benefits, resulting in financial losses of 173.3 million liras and proposed fines of 881.6 million liras for hospitals violating agreements.
