lavoiee
5/18/2016 17:15 EST
I am a EU citizen and will be moving to Bologna later this year after having lived abroad (outside the EU) for many years. I know there is lots of information available on the EU website, but would much appreciate if anyone could provide information on the level and quality of health care provided for a EU citizen. Would it be wise to have additional private insurance? If so, any recommendations? Same info, if possible, for dental care. Any useful information for both medical and dental care would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks in advance!
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Sergios
5/19/2016 03:17 EST
Unless you have immediate health issues I suggest waiting and seeing what you need. You could always by supplemental insurance. Dental care is relatively cheap in italy so I don't think insurance is needed unless you know you have serious dental problems. The quality of care, from my experience so far, is fine.
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lavoiee
5/19/2016 09:47 EST
Thank you for your input, Sergios.
Luckily, I don't have any medical or dental issues, just want to feel reassured about what to expect if..... the quality, knowledge, wait times etc.
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Sergios
5/19/2016 11:30 EST
Wait times vary as they do everywhere. I've never had to wait longer than a few minutes. Much less than the USA. But I use a small town md.
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maluza86
5/21/2016 04:05 EST
Lavoiee,
My wife is an Italian citizen and I am a permanent resident. We both use the Italian healthcare system and have found it very good. Some idiosyncrasies from the US system, but once you get past the fact that you go the doctors office and there are no receptionists and everyone asks whose the last in line, the care is very good. My wife has MS as well as a few other health issues and sees a neurologist and rheumatologist as well as a cardiologist regularly. She uses a combination of private and the regular social medical system. Even the private health care is subsidized by the government so appointments are not that expensive. Bottom line, we've had great success and care on par with the US if not better in some instances.
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emiliaromagna
5/21/2016 09:46 EST
Thank you, Maluza86. Could you give me an idea how much private health care is a month (approx.)? I guess it depends on age and history? Really, my main concern is quality of health care overall and, should I need it, hospital care quality and wait times (for surgery for example). I'll be moving to Italy this fall (retiring) and need to decide whether to continue with the plan I have with my employer (semi private, about $100/month) or to sign on with one once I'm in Italy.
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maluza86
5/22/2016 04:21 EST
Hello again, sorry for the confusion using, but we do not have private Italian healthcare insurance. I don have Tricare for Life as a retired military member, but mainly use the Italian medical system or the US Navy Base in Naples, although their current level of care is very limited, especially for retirees.
There are doctors that operate "private" clinics outside the social medical system. They operate much like Dentists in Italy do, you pay up front and if you have other insurance that pays you deal with your insurance company, the just provide the care.
I had some neurological tests done last year that cost me €250, paid up front, but I was reimbursed in full by Tricare for Life. My wife has been to a private cardiologist twice and paid €50 per visit. She then received a prescription for a halter monitor that she took to her normal doctor, who wrote the prescription and she took it to the local clinic to receive the monitor for free. She also receives monthly RA shots (or transfusions at the hospital in Brindisi) through the normal medical healthcare system. She also receives all her MS medicine (which is the latest on the market and very expensive, although it is free to us) through the Italian system.
We've had no issues and have been able to receive the level of care required without much more hassle than in the US.
I would maintain your private health insurance as you transition and start receiving care, then if you are satisfied you can get the level required, you can always cancel. As with anything I would think it much harder to cancel than have to scramble and try to reactive if required.
I hope this helps, if not, let me know what else I may be able to answer.
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emiliaromagna
5/22/2016 17:09 EST
Many thanks again, Maluza86, for your reply and additional information. I think I'll keep my current private insurance and decide 'next steps' after moving there and getting first hand information.
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