Striking report from DİSK-AR: 'The burden of private hospitals on the SGK is increasing'

The number of private hospitals, which have once again come under scrutiny following the "newborn gang" scandal, is increasing every year. The study published by the DİSK Research Center (DİSK-AR) under the title "The burden of private hospitals on the SGK is climbing" shares noteworthy data. According to the report, the burden of private hospitals on the SGK increased by 153 percent in just the first 6 months of 2024. In other words, there was a 153 percent increase in the SGK's share of payments to private hospitals. 

In the same report, the share of payments made to state secondary-care hospitals fell to 53.9 percent. 

The report, which states that the SGK pays more money to private hospitals per patient each year, includes the following remarks: "Hospitals belonging to the SGK (SSK) and other public health insurance funds were transferred to the Ministry of Health free of charge. Not only were the SSK hospitals closed, but the pharmaceutical factory belonging to the SSK was also shut down. As a result, the SGK was turned into an institution that entirely purchases health services. As is known, public contributions to the health and social security system are characterized as a 'deficit,' 'burden,' or 'black hole' through a demagogic approach. However, it is actually the burden of private hospitals on the SGK that is increasing. This research addresses the growing burden of private hospitals on the SGK." 

The study reached the following findings:

• Since 2012, while the SGK's payment per patient to state hospitals has increased 4.7-fold, its payment to private hospitals has increased 9.4-fold.
  
• The SGK's health payments show significant differences between private and public hospitals.
• In the first six months of 2024, the SGK paid approximately three times more per patient to private hospitals.
• Despite a decrease in the number and rate of patients applying to private hospitals, the unit payment made by the SGK to private hospitals is increasing.
• The ratio of the SGK's payment per patient to private hospitals compared to the average payment was 105 percent in 2012, and reached 153 percent in the first six months of 2024.
• The SGK pays more money to private hospitals per patient every year.
• In the first six months of 2024, the SGK paid approximately three times more per patient to private hospitals compared to state secondary-care hospitals. In the 2012-2024 period, the unit payment per patient increased by 469 percent in state secondary-care hospitals, 518 percent in state tertiary-care hospitals, and 648 percent in university hospitals. In the same period, the increase in the SGK's unit payment per patient to private hospitals was 940 percent.