12.04.2026 13:51
A citizen who underwent a herniated disc surgery at a private hospital paid 73,000 lira for the procedure and noticed that it appeared as 19,180 lira on e-Government, prompting him to apply to the Public Ombudsman Institution (KDK). The Social Security Institution (SGK) indicated that an excessive fee was charged, but the hospital did not issue a refund. KDK requested the return of 34,638 lira with interest and assessed the situation as an "unjust intervention in the right to health."
The Public Ombudsman Institution (KDK) made a recommendation decision for the return of 34,638 lira, which was collected from a citizen who underwent a herniated disc surgery at a private hospital in violation of the legislation, along with legal interest.
PAID 73 THOUSAND LIRA, LEARNED THE ACTUAL AMOUNT FROM E-GOVERNMENT
The citizen who paid 73 thousand lira for the surgery, excluding tests, noticed during a check he made through e-Government that the transaction fee appeared as 19,180 lira. Following this, he applied to KDK for the refund of the excess fee.
HOSPITAL: PAID WITH HIS OWN CONSENT
After KDK initiated an investigation, the hospital management claimed that the patient wanted to receive special services and accepted the price difference with his own consent. Therefore, it was stated that a refund could not be made.
SGK: EXCESS FEE WAS COLLECTED
The Social Security Institution (SGK) stated that a payment of 19,180 lira was made to the hospital for the relevant surgery. It was reminded that according to the Health Implementation Communiqué, hospitals can charge an additional fee of up to twice this amount, emphasizing that the 34,638 lira was collected in violation of the legislation.
“UNREASONABLE INTERVENTION IN HEALTH RIGHTS”
KDK found the applicant justified and stated that the excess fee should be refunded along with interest. The decision expressed that the patient was "subjected to an unbearable financial burden" and that this constituted an unreasonable intervention in health rights.
ATTENTION TO LACK OF SANCTIONS
The institution also suggested to SGK that stronger sanction and inspection clauses should be added to contracts made with private hospitals to prevent similar grievances.