Health care

Health care for foreign students In Italy health care of foreign citizens is governed by International Conventions. The cover of medical costs is guaranteed to international students in two different ways, according to whether they are EU or non-EU citizens. 1. EU citizens The holders of a "European Health Insurance Card" (EHIC), issued in their country of origin, benefit from the medical services previously covered by E111 and E128 forms. EHIC (or its equivalent document, the "Provisional Replacement Certificate") allows a student to obtain access to the treatment which is "medically necessary" (not only the urgent treatment which was previously guaranteed by E111 form) while on a temporary stay in Italy. The student can present himself/herself directly to a general practitioner who is operating within the National Health Service ("Servizio Sanitario Nazionale" - SSN). The practitioner will provide general medical care and prescribe any specialist medical services the student may need. He will arrange to request the reimbursement of medical costs to the relevant foreign institution through the Local Health Authority (ASL). The list of the general practitioners operating within SSN is available at the competent ASL. The holders of E106 form (whose expiry date is related to the length of their course of studies) are entitled to be registered with SSN and therefore to receive complete healthcare. In order to obtain access to medical treatment, students must show the above-mentioned form and the documents certifying their attendance of a course of studies to the relevant Local Health Authority. 2. Non EU students Citizens from outside the European Community, regularly staying in Italy, can choose between two possible types of health insurance - apart from the length of their stay. Public health insurance supplied by SSN: it provides complete healthcare - including the possibility of choosing a general practitioner (*) - upon payment of a fee of 149.77 euros per solar year, namely until 31st December in the year of payment. In this case, it is necessary to apply to the competent ASL, for the required bureaucratic fulfilments. Private health insurance which has to be bought directly at an Insurance Company. Actually, students must take out an insurance policy with an Italian Company on their arrival in Italy, or before they leave for Italy, by applying to a Private Insurance Company in their own country; in the second case it is necessary to check if there is any particular agreement concerning healthcare between that country and Italy. It is always advisable to have the documentation regarding insurance validated by the Italian Embassy in the students' country of origin. A medical service providing basic healthcare 14 hours a week is available for students of the University for Foreigners Perugia. (*) In the Italian National Health Service, a general practitioner or family doctor is in charge of general medical care or 1st degree care, that is healthcare outside the hospital, inclusive of the necessary treatment in case of an ordinary illness (or an illness without emergency characteristics) and inclusive of prescriptions of medicines, tests and researches.

Last Updated ( venerdì, 12 dicembre 2008 )