Expat Health Insurance & Medical Care
Expat Health Insurance and Healthcare in Istanbul, Turkey
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An expat in Istanbul talks about health insurance, emergency medical care and non-emergency care in Istanbul. He has an operation at Baskent University Hospital and was very pleased with the quality of medical care.
Expat Healthcare Advice for Istanbul
It's is essential that you have health care insurance. Axa as far as I know is the only company that will insure you over the age of 70. This is only possible if you had had a policy with them from I believe 65 years old.
Emergency Medical Care in Istanbul
There are several hospitals near where I live. These however are private ones. I myself use Baskent University hospital, which I have found very good. Also their prices are more reasonable than some of the others. The care I received there has been first class. Also there is no long waiting time if you require an operation. As for emergency services, my wife received treatment with only a short wait to see a doctor, apart from that I cannot say.
Quality of Healthcare in Surrounding Area
Before living in Istanbul I lived near Kemer with my going to Antalya for treatment. I have had two operations there and was well pleased with the medical services received.
Prescription Medicines
Yes. You can purchase most prescription medicines in the pharmacy's that are easily found. In general you do not require a prescription except for dangerous class drugs like morphine. The cost of medicines are far cheaper than in various other Euopean countries. I have never had a problem buying medicines here in Turkey where I have lived for over 20 years.
Quality of Healthcare Compared to Home
[x] Better
[ ] Somewhat Better
[ ] Same
[ ] Somewhat Worse
[ ] Worse
[ ] Somewhat Better
[ ] Same
[ ] Somewhat Worse
[ ] Worse
Availability of Medical Care Compared to Home
[x] Better
[ ] Somewhat Better
[ ] Same
[ ] Somewhat Worse
[ ] Worse
[ ] Somewhat Better
[ ] Same
[ ] Somewhat Worse
[ ] Worse
Primary Method of Payment for Medical Care
[ ] International Health Insurance
[x] Insurance Purchased in the Country I Live Abroad In
[ ] Out of Pocket
[ ] Social Program (Medicare, Nationalized Health Insurance or Similar)
[ ] Other
[x] Insurance Purchased in the Country I Live Abroad In
[ ] Out of Pocket
[ ] Social Program (Medicare, Nationalized Health Insurance or Similar)
[ ] Other
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