What Is AK-1013? Turkey Health Tourism Intermediary Authorization Explained

Turkey distinguishes between clinics that treat patients and intermediaries that coordinate cross-border care. OrbisMed Travel holds intermediary authorization AK-1013. This page explains what that means in plain English for UK patients.

Intermediary vs clinic

Role	Who	What they do
Clinic	Ministry-authorised dental hospital or clinic	Surgery, prosthetics, clinical records, warranty on treatment
Intermediary (aracı kuruluş)	Licensed agency such as OrbisMed Travel	Patient matching, written plans, logistics, coordination after travel

Under Turkey’s international health tourism framework (updated in official guidance through 2025), intermediaries must hold authorization to arrange care with listed clinics. They must not present themselves as the treating facility.

OrbisMed Travel is not a hospital. Clinical care is delivered at contracted partner clinics holding their own International Health Tourism Authorization.

USHAŞ and issuing intermediary certificates

USHAŞ (International Health Services Inc.) operates under the Ministry of Health umbrella and oversees intermediary authorization processes. Certificate numbers such as AK-1013 identify approved agencies on official documentation.

What AK-1013 requires

Authorized intermediaries are expected to:

• Work under protocols with Ministry-authorised clinics
• Provide coordination and contact standards (including reachable support channels)
• Issue transparent written information before patients travel
• Maintain documentation aligned with health tourism regulations

OrbisMed combines this with Group A Travel Agency Certificate No. 15454 (Ministry of Culture and Tourism) for transport and accommodation logistics.

What AK-1013 does NOT mean

• It is not a clinical quality star rating for surgery
• It does not mean the Ministry guarantees your implant will integrate
• It does not replace the clinic’s own authorization certificate
• It does not allow an agency to perform dental procedures

Think of AK-1013 as permission to coordinate regulated cross-border care — a transparency and accountability layer for patients booking from abroad.

How patients verify

1. Open our authorization certificates page — view AK-1013 and 15454 documents
2. Search authorised providers on HealthTürkiye where the portal is accessible
3. Confirm your written plan names the treating clinic before you fly — see verification guide

If a portal is temporarily unavailable, request certificate copies directly and cross-check certificate numbers on your contract.

OrbisMed Travel in practice

OrbisMed:

• Publishes indicative GBP packages on our pricing page
• Confirms inclusions before deposits (checklist)
• Coordinates WhatsApp aftercare when you return (aftercare guide)
• Facilitates warranty claims with the treating clinic (guarantee guide)

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I book a clinic direct instead of an agency?

You can — but you then handle logistics, documentation and aftercare coordination yourself. An authorized intermediary adds structure if you want a single written plan and contact point.

Is AK-1013 the same as a clinic certificate?

No. Clinics hold International Health Tourism Authorization for clinical facilities. AK-1013 is specific to intermediary agencies.

Does every Turkey dental advert show a real certificate?

No. Demand certificate numbers and verify them. Absence of authorization is a red flag.

Can OrbisMed choose any clinic in Turkey?

Intermediaries work with authorized partner clinics under regulatory protocols — not arbitrary unlisted operators.

Where does clinical responsibility sit?

With the treating clinic for surgery and prosthetics. OrbisMed coordinates and advocates within that framework.

Related guides

• Pillar UK patient guide
• Verify a clinic
• Is All-on-4 safe?
• Patient guides