What you need to know about the healthcare system in Italy: pros and cons

Analysis of the healthcare system in Italy

The article is dedicated to a detailed study of the healthcare system in Italy, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses, as well as exploring the characteristics of free medical care in the country. Italy holds one of the leading positions in Europe in terms of medical development, which has resulted in a significant improvement in the health of its citizens over the past few decades.

In 1978, the National Health Service (SSN) was established, primarily funded by the government budget and partially through taxes paid by employers for their employees. Italian hospitals are characterized by a high level of equipment, and the medical staff is highly qualified and experienced.

Training of medical specialists

To get into medical school in Italy, you need to pass a rigorous entrance exam, followed by a lengthy education that lasts at least ten years. Out of this time, six years are dedicated to obtaining a basic education, while the remaining four years require advanced specialization.

Italian doctors bear full responsibility for their professional activities and are required to obtain special insurance that compensates for potential losses in the event of a medical error. Among the positive aspects of Italian medicine, one can highlight:

• High-quality care for the elderly.
• Constant attention to women's health;Every two years, people are offered free preventive measures to detect various types of cancer.

Disadvantages of the healthcare system

Nevertheless, there are certain shortcomings: among them, the high cost of dental services stands out, which forces many Italians to seek dental treatment in other countries.

Like in most countries, medical care in Italy is provided in both public and private institutions. It is important to emphasize that, despite the similarity in the quality of medical services, the speed of their delivery can vary significantly. For example:

• Appointment with a specialist doctorIn a public clinic, it can take from one to three months.
• In a private clinicOften, it's possible to get an appointment within a few days.
• Planned surgeriesWaiting for the opportunity to undergo surgery at a city hospital can take up to a year, while private clinics can provide assistance much faster.

Free medical care

Free medical care in Italy is provided by the public health insurance system. The majority of treatment costs are covered by the government, and patients pay the remaining amount out of pocket.

The healthcare system in Italy, despite its shortcomings, is rightly considered one of the most effective in Europe, providing its citizens with access to quality medical care in both public and private institutions. Italian medicine continues to evolve, improving the level of its services and implementing new treatment approaches, which ultimately contributes to the overall health of the country's population.

Medical expenses in different regions

The cost of medical services can vary significantly depending on the region, as well as the proportion of outpatient visits, the cost of vaccines, and medications in the overall expense estimate. This form of medical care is available not only to Italian citizens but also to all foreign nationals who are legally residing in the country and are registered in the national health system (SSN).

Access to emergency assistance

It is important to emphasize that calling for emergency medical assistance is possible even for those who are in Italy without legal grounds. Moreover, if during the process of seeking medical care the staff learns about a person's status as an illegal migrant, they are not obligated to report this to law enforcement authorities. In cases where there is a clear threat to life or in emergency situations, such as traffic accidents, assistance can be provided to non-residents with the temporary status of "straniero temporaneamente presente."

Free services for women

All services related to pregnancy and childbirth are provided free of charge for women.

Who can register for an SSN?

Individuals holding work, family, or investment visas in Italy, as well as their dependent relatives and refugees, have the opportunity to register for the SSN to receive free medical care. This registration remains valid for the entire duration of the issued residence permit.

Annual contribution and its structure

The annual contribution for maintenance is 387 euros with a minimum annual income of 5,165 euros. If the income exceeds this amount but does not exceed 20,658 euros, a rate of 7.5% is applied. For income from 20,658 euros to 51,646 euros, a tax of 4% is applied. However, the contribution cannot be less than 387 euros and cannot exceed 2,789 euros, regardless of the income level. Additionally, students studying at higher education institutions in Italy can also register with the SSN by paying a one-time fee of 150 euros.

The process of registering for an SSN

To register for an SSN, you need to visit the local health authority (Azienda Sanitaria Locale) with documents that confirm:

• place of residence;
• valid residence permit;
• tax number.

Obtaining a medical card

After completing all the necessary procedures, a medical card is issued -health cardThis card includes the tax number. It grants the holder the right to receive medical assistance in Italian institutions, as well as emergency treatment in any country of the European Union.

A qualified doctor, after the first consultation, may offer the patient a free health assessment, which can take place at their medical facility or in the comfort of the patient's home if that becomes relevant. The specialist will also take care of the necessary medical prescriptions, issuing prescriptions, and providing medical documentation upon the patient's request. It should be noted that if a patient wishes to change their treating physician, they have the right to do so without explanation, and the doctor also has the right to refuse to continue treating that patient.

Health insurance in Italy

As for the healthcare insurance system in Italy, it includes both public and private programs. Public insurance covers a wide range of medical services; however, the specific conditions may vary depending on the area of residence, the type of medical services, and the patient's status category. These circumstances prompt many Italian citizens to take out private health insurance policies to minimize the risks that may not be covered by the public program.

Foreigners in Italy who are not registered in the national system are also strongly advised to obtain private health insurance from international insurance companies, as the services of local insurers often serve only as a supplement to state offerings. The prices for insurance policies from local insurers range from 1300 to 2000 euros per year for a policy covering a family of four.

Well-known medical institutions

Among the most recognized medical institutions in Italy, the following can be highlighted:

• Rome American Hospital
• Concordia Hospital
• Salvator Mundi International Hospital
• Santa Maria Nuova Hospital in Florence
• Milan Medical Center inMilan

A significant medical center isPoliclinico San Donato, which holds a leading position in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and is the largest institution in terms of the number of cardiac surgeries and interventional cardiology performed. Milan also hostsSan Raffaele Hospitalknown as one of the most modern research medical centers in Europe, which successfully treats rare genetic and immune diseases. Here, the world's first stem cell therapy for patients with severe combined immunodeficiency (ADA-SCID) was developed.

InGaleazzi Orthopedic InstituteInMilan, special attention is given to orthopedic interventions, with around 3,600 joint replacement surgeries and approximately 1,300 spinal stabilization surgeries performed each year.

Availability of medications

As for the range of medications, in Italy they are available in both public and accredited private pharmacies. These pharmacy establishments have comprehensive information about all available drugs, which significantly facilitates the process of acquiring necessary medications for both locals and tourists, making healthcare more accessible and convenient.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the healthcare system in Italy is a complex and multi-layered mechanism that combines both advantages and disadvantages. On one hand,free healthcareState-funded healthcare allows residents of the country and foreigners to access necessary medical services, ensuring treatment availability for everyone. As part of the Sanità Nazionale system, individuals with legal status can expect quality medical care without significant financial burden.

On the other hand, there are also problems that many patients face. For example, long queues in public institutions can become a serious challenge, especially in critical situations. I have repeatedly heard from acquaintances that waiting for an appointment with a specialist or scheduling a planned surgery can take weeks or even months. Thus, although the quality of medical services in Italy is high, access to them can be hindered if speed of service is a decisive factor.

It is also worth noting the high prices of dental services, which force many Italians to seek treatment abroad. This highlights the complexity of the situation, where, despite the overall quality and accessibility of healthcare, certain areas remain out of reach for most citizens.

It is also important to mention that the quality of medical care in private clinics often surpasses that of public ones, despite their similarities in training medical staff and the availability of technology. Personally, I believe that having the choice between public and private institutions gives us, as patients, a unique opportunity to tailor our medical care to our individual needs.

Ultimately, the Italian healthcare system is an example of progress; however, like any other system, it requires constant attention and improvements. I hope that in the future, more effective solutions will be implemented to optimize the process of accessing medical services so that everyone living in Italy can enjoy them.a healthy and long life.