Turkey has updated several provisions of the Health Practices Communiqué relating to obesity operations and refunds for certain medicines. A cap has also been removed on physiotherapy and rehabilitation services for disabled soldiers.

Notable changes include:

  • The refund system is expanded to now include:
    • Obesity operations performed on:
      • Patients with body mass index of 35-40 kg/m2 and coexisting diseases.
      • Patients with the body mass index above 40 kg/m2.
    • Certain medicines, such as cancer medicines.
  • Physiotherapy and rehabilitation services provided to disabled soldiers are no longer limited.

The Communiqué Amending the Health Practices Communiqué was published in Official Gazette number 30322 on 4 February 2018. Please see this link for full text of the Communiqué (only available in Turkish).