+ Foreign citizens
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FOREIGN CITIZENS OF THE EUROPEAN UNIONLegal residents in Italy must be registered with the National Health Service (SSN), with the same conditions as Italian citizens. Foreign citizens of the European union who are in Italy for short periods can have access to all the health care services of an Italian citizen by presenting “the European Health Insurance Card” (tessera europea di assicurazione sanitaria) Without this card, one must pay the established fees for all services received. The same rule applies to citizens of countries with which there are agreements of reciprocity: Argentina, Bosnia, Brazil, Capo Verde, Croatia, Macedonia, Monaco, Republic of san Marino, Switzerland, Tunisia. FOREIGN CITIZENS OF COUNTRIES OUTSIDE THE EUROPEAN UNION1) with Permission of Stay Those with Permission of Stay (Permesso di Soggiorno) or those who have applied for the renewal of the Permission of Stay for reasons of work, family, political asylum, humanitarian asylum, adoption, foster care, or application for citizenship have the right and responsibility to register with the National Health Service (SSN). Assistance is guaranteed to dependent family members who are legally present in Italy. Students or au pair workers who are in Italy for more than three months and are not registered with the National Health Service (SSN) may do one of two things: A) Register with the national health service and pay the annual fee (in this case, dependent children are also covered). B) Sign up for a private health insurance policy with is recognized in Italy and covers eventual illness, accident and maternity care. Those whose stay in Italy is less than three months (for example those present for travel or business) may not be registered with the National Health Service, and therefore must have a private insurance policy or pay the established fees for all services received. Those who are present for medical treatment cannot register with the National Health Service and therefore must pay all fees for treatment received. In particular hospital policy require? payment in advance to the chosen hospital structure of 30% of the total estimated fee and a third party guarantor. 2) Without Permission of Stay Those who have sufficient economic resources must pay the entire fee for services received. Those who do not have sufficient economic resources are guaranteed emergency care (emergency room and hospitalisation), essential care which is documented as such by the attending physician (ambulatory care and day hospital), all services for minors up to age 18, all maternity and delivery care, and all care and prophylactic treatment for infective diseases. The extra-communitarian citizens who claims to be indigent on his/her first hospitalisation will be assigned an STP code and given a card for access to these services. This card is valid for 6 months and can be renewed if the condition of poverty remains. REGISTRATION WITH THE NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE (SSN)Why? Registration gives the same rights that Italian citizens have • To choose a family doctor or paediatrician • To the care of a specialist when prescribed by the family doctor or paediatrician, with the payment of the established fee. • To free hospitalisation and day hospitalisation • To acquire subsidized drugs Where? Registration is done at the local Health care Service (ASL) of residents or actual abode. How? Mandatory registration. The following documents must be presented: • Valid permission of stay or request for its renewal • Self certification of residency or declaration of actual abode, as stated on the permission of stay • Social security card (codice fiscale), or self-certification of SSN number • Declaration of commitment to communicate any change in one’s status to the local Health Care Service Voluntary registration. Besides the documents required for mandatory registration, the following documents are necessary: • Receipt for payment of the established fee • For students: certificate of registration in a program of studies and self-certification that declares that one? does not have income other than scholarship funds or student aid funds. • For au pair workers: self-certificate of one’s status as foreign au pair worker and co-statement of the host family. The contribution for registrations is valid for calendar year, is not reducible and it is not valid retroactively. Registration extents to dependent family members except when the registration is for students or au pair workers. Validity The registration is valid for the entire period of the validity of the permission of stay, including the period of renewal. It is suspended for failed renewal, repeal or annulment of permission or for expulsion.
last update: May 25, 2011 |