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If you’re applying for long-term sick leave through SGK or making a claim with your private supplementary insurance (TSS), chances are you’ll be asked for a heyet raporu. At first, the process sounds intimidating–multiple doctors, hospital visits, lots of paperwork–but don’t worry. It’s actually quite manageable once you know what to expect.

In this guide, I’ll break down exactly what a heyet raporu is, who needs it, what documents you need to bring, and how to get through the process as smoothly (and quickly) as possible. Whether you’re a local or a foreigner living in Turkiye, this step-by-step checklist will help you feel prepared and confident before you even step into the hospital.

What is a Heyet Raporu?

A heyet raporu translates to a medical board report and is an official health document issued by a panel of doctors at a hospital. Unlike a regular sick note from one doctor, this report requires evaluation from multiple specialists, and it’s used to confirm serious or long-term conditions.

You typically need a heyet raporu when:

• You’re applying for long-term sick leave through SGK.
• You’re making a claim through TSS insurance (especially for surgeries, hospital stays, or chronic illness treatment).
• You need official medical documentation for a court case, disability status, or government application.

Basically, a heyet raporu is a more formal and detailed medical report that proves your condition is significant enough to require extended leave or financial support.

Who Needs a Heyet Raporu?

Not everyone who feels sick needs a heyet raporu–it’s usually required for bigger, more official situations. Here’s when you’ll likely need one:

• Employees under SGK
  • If you’re unsure through SGK and you need more than a few days off work due to illness or injury, your employer or SGK itself may ask for a heyet raporu to approve extended sick leave and salary support (rapor parasi).
• TSS (Private Supplementary Health Insurance) Holders
  • Some private insurance companies require a heyet raporu to approve major claims like hospitalization reimbursements, surgeries, or long-term treatments.
• Disability Applications
  • If you are applying for disability status (engilli raporu) you’ll need a heyet raporu as part of your application.
• Legal Purposes
  • Court cases involving health conditions, like work injury lawsuits or guardianship cases, often require a heyet raporu.
• Educational or Military Exemptions
  • Some students and military service candidates may need a heyet raporu for deferments or exemptions based on medical grounds.

Special Note for foreigners: If you work in Turkiye and are covered through SGK with TSS insurance, coverage is blocked until you complete the heyet raporu. This has been an updated change to the system and the heyet raporu is required due to some foreigners, in the past, taking advantage of bending the rules for cheaper medical treatments.

Documents You Need to Prepare

Before you head to the hospital, make sure you have all the necessary paperwork ready. Showing up fully prepared will save you from making extra trips. Here’s what you’ll typically need:

• Kimlik Card (Turkish ID)
  • This will be your work permit or resident permit. Passports will not be accepted.
• SGK Information
  • You will need to go to an SGK office to get a form called SPAS Mustehaklik Sorgulama (Saglik Provizyon Aktivasyon Sistemi). This is needed to “turn on” your SGK coverage if you’re a foreigner.
• Referral Document (if needed)
  • Depending on the purpose of your heyet raporu you may need to get a referral (sevk) from your family doctor.
• Medical History Documents
  • Bring any previous test results, prescriptions, x-rays, or reports related to your current health issue. It can speed up the evaluations.
• Proof of Insurance (for TSS claims)
  • If you’re applying through a private insurance company (TSS), bring your policy information or claim forms if available.
• Passport-Sized Photos (sometimes)
  • Some hospitals ask for a recent photo, especially if the report needs to be attached to a file.
• Money
  • Even if you go to a public hospital, you will still need to pay for the heyet raporu. The price will vary depending on which hospital you choose.

Step-by-Step: How to Get a Heyet Raporu for SGK and TSS

1. Go to an SGK office
   • Before going to the hospital, you’ll need to physically go to an SGK office to get a printed copy of the SPAS Mustehaklik Sorgulama (Saglik Provizyon Aktivasyon Sistemi) form. You cannot start the process without this form.
2. Book an Appointment
   • Go the the MHRS website and log in using e-devlet.
   • Select “Hospital Appointment”
   • Choose your city
   • In the clinic section, select “health board adult” or “sağlık kurulu erişkin”
   • Leave everything else empty and click search
   • You will see a list of available appointments for a variety of different reports. You are looking for “general heyet raporu” or “sağlık kurulu raporu.”
   • You might have to travel far for the appointment, as there are only a few select hospital locations that offer the report, and availability is limited to certain days.
3. Go to the hospital
   • With your documents, go to the hospital for your appointment and check in with the administration desk. Regardless of the time, you can start the process at 8am.
   • You will have to pay first before you start visiting each specialist.
4. Visit Each Specialist
   • After you check in, you will get a list of doctors to see, such as:
     • Internal Medicine
     • Orthopedics
     • Neurology
     • Psychiatry
     • Cardiology
   • Each doctor will ask if you have any conditions and do a quick examination. They will write notes in a computerized system. If more tests are required, they will send you to a testing facility.
5. Final Board Review
   • After you finish all the required check-ups, your file will be collected and sent to a medical board committee. The board will review your case and finalize your report.
6. Pick Up Your Heyet Raporu
   • After 1-2 days, you will have to return to the hospital to pick up your report.
   • Then you will go back to the SGK office to give them the report to “turn on” your insurance.

Tips to Make the Process Smoother

The heyet raporu isn’t difficult, but it can be slow and a little chaotic if you’re not prepared. Here are some tips to help you survive that day.

• Arrive early
  • Regardless of your appointment time, you can start at 8am. Hospitals will get very crowded, and there will be long wait times to see the doctor.
• Bring snacks and water
  • You will be in the hospital for a few hours, so make sure you have some food and water will you while you’re waiting
  • You might be asked to do a blood test, so make sure you don’t eat anything before your appointment.
• Stay Organized
  • Keep all your documents, registration slips, test results, and payment receipts in one folder. You’ll be asked to show them multiple times during the process.
• Be Patient and Polite
  • The hospital staff will most likely be grumpy. People waiting in line will also be grumpy. They might even cut in front of you, so you might need to be a little aggressive, but in a polite way.
• Double-Check Your Final Report
  • Make sure that it has all the stamps and signatures required before you leave, because you definitely don’t want to have to come back.
• Bring Someone With You
  • If you don’t speak Turkish, bring a friend to help you translate. There are no hospital translators at public hospitals. I called a friend on the phone to help translate. Some of the doctors I met with spoke English, but the administrative staff definitely did not speak any English.

Conclusion

Getting a heyet raporu for SGK and TSS might seem overwhelming at first, but once you know the steps, it’s completely manageable. The key is to stay organized, bring all your documents, and be ready for a bit of a hospital hopping between different specialists.

Whether you’re applying for sick leave, filing an insurance claim, or handling another official process, this guide should help you feel more confident and prepared. And remember, if you ever feel lost during the process, don’t hesitate to ask hospital staff for help. They deal with heyet raporu all the time and can usually point you in the right direction.

You’ve got this!

If you’ve gone through the process yourself and have any extra tips, feel free to share them in the comments, it might help the next person who’s feeling just as overwhelmed as you once were!