The Social Security Institution (SGK) has made comprehensive changes in the regulations regarding the provision and financing of health services. With the notification that came into force after being published in the Official Gazette dated October 2, 2026 and numbered 33388, new rules were introduced in many areas, from organ and tissue transplants to bone marrow packages, from cancer drugs to scores for surgical procedures.
TREATMENT AND TRANSFER EXPENSES WILL BE COVERED IN ORGAN TRANSPLANTATION
According to the new regulation, if organ or tissue transplantation is deemed necessary for people covered by SSI, all treatment expenses of recipients and donors will be covered by SSI. Transplant operations can only be performed in health facilities that have an organ transplant center.
During the organ procurement process within the country, round-trip travel and transfer expenses incurred to deliver the patient or organ to the transplant center will be paid by SSI within the scope of the provisions of the Health Practice Communiqué (SUT).
For each cadaver donor reported to the National Organ and Tissue Transplantation Coordination Center, the supply fee will be paid to the center providing the donor.
In cases where the donor process cannot be completed, the first 48 hours of intensive care during which the organ preservation protocol is applied can be billed to SSI.
PAYMENT LIMIT FOR ABO INCOMPATIBLE KIDNEY TRANSPLANTATIONS
With the regulation, payments for ABO blood group incompatible kidney transplants were also limited.
Expenses of blood type incompatible transplants will not be covered by SSI, except for patients who cannot be treated with any dialysis method and whose situation is documented by the health board report of tertiary health facilities.
Apheresis procedures and medical supplies used in these transplants will not be billed separately.
REIMBURSEMENT CRITERIA FOR CANCER DRUGS HAVE CHANGED
Reimbursement criteria for trastuzumab emtansine and pertuzumab combinations used in the treatment of breast cancer have been revised.
The duration of use of drugs, cure limits and prescribing conditions in early stage and metastatic breast cancer patients were linked to the medical board report of medical oncology experts.
On the other hand, the drug containing the active ingredient satralizumab, used in the treatment of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD), which progresses with relapses, was also included in the scope of reimbursement for patients over 12 years of age and meeting the specified criteria.
The drug in question was included in the SUT supplement list of drugs to be paid only in inpatient treatments.
SCORES FOR SURGICAL PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN UPDATED
Changes were also made in the Fee-of-Service and Diagnosis-Based Procedure Score Lists. Accordingly, the score of the bronchoscopy procedure was updated to 1,073.67.
In addition to thoracic and pediatric surgeons, intensive care specialists can also invoice this procedure.
Thoracoscopic esophageal atresia primary repair was added to the list with the code 609541. The score of the transaction was determined as 25,278.02.
THE SCOPE OF THE BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION PACKAGE HAS BEEN EXPANDED
The scope of package prices applied in bone marrow transplants has also been rearranged.
Donor analysis and procedures, blood components, medical supplies and complication treatments are included in the package price. Medicines used in the treatment of existing chronic diseases before transplantation and medicines brought from abroad for personal use were excluded from the scope of the package.
Package periods were arranged as 15 days before and 90 days after the operation in allogeneic transplants, and 15 days before and 60 days after the operation in other transplants.
REGULATIONS WILL ENTER INTO EFFECT GRADUALLY
The provisions contained in the notification will come into force on different dates.
Provisions regarding organ and tissue transplantation will enter into force 30 days after the publication of the circular.
Regulations regarding cancer drugs, transaction points and satralizumab will begin to be implemented in 5 business days.
The regulation regarding the bone marrow transplant package entered into force on the day of publication, effective from September 5, 2026.
Other general provisions began to be implemented as of October 2, 2026.
