Italy has a socialized medical system. After you arrive and get settled in you will be able to apply for your health card at your local Azienda Sanitaria. If you are employed here you will need some information from your employer as well as your passport and your permesso di soggiorno. If you are not employed, you will need your permesso di soggiorno as well as your passport and your tax records. This process is best handled through an accountant here (commercialista) and they will need to calculate your worldly income. Normally you will need to pay around €400 per year plus a small percentage on your income.
Once you have your card you will be able to visit doctors, dentists, eye doctors, hospitals, clinics, etc. You will sometimes pay a small co-payment. Prescriptions will be covered for the most part (small co-payment sometimes) and doctors will do house calls. The major drawback is if you need surgery you will have to wait until they have space for you unless it is an emergency.
Italy has the highest number of doctors (medici) per head of any country in the world, and they’re generally well trained and professional. Embassies and consulates in Italy keep lists of doctors and specialists in their area who speak English and other languages, and your employer, colleagues or neighbors may also be able to recommend someone.
All Italian cities and large towns have at least one clinic or hospital (ospedale), indicated by the international sign of a white ‘H’ on a blue background. Public hospitals are listed in the yellow pages under Ospedali and private hospitals under Case di cura private.
Hospitals
Salvator Mundi International Hospital
Viale Mura Gianicolensi, 67
Rome
(06) 588 961
Rome American Hospital
Via E. Longoni, 69
Rome
(06) 0622 551
Pharmacy
Christo Re dei Ferrovieri
Termini
(06) 4880 776
Brienza
piazza Risorgimento 44
Rome
(06) 3973 8186
Farmacia Internazionales Capranica
Piazza Capranica 96
Rome
(06) 6794 680
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