What happens if an American gets sick in Italy?

When a U.S. citizen becomes ill in Italy and requires assistance to fly back to the US, he/she could hire a medical escort. Generally, when a medical escort is hired, a physician with basic medical equipment accompanies the patient on board a commercial airline flight.

Can an American get free healthcare in Italy?

Overview of the Italian Healthcare System

Since 1978, healthcare in Italy has been provided through a mixed public-private structure. On the public side, the SSN, Servicio Sanitario Nazionale, provides free or very low-cost healthcare to all Italian citizens and non-citizens with residency status.

What to do if you get sick while traveling in Italy?

In case of an emergency, for immediate medical attention or to call an ambulance dial 112 from any telephone in Italy. No country code is necessary if calling from within Europe.

Can tourists get healthcare in Italy?

In Italy, foreign visitors, both from EU and non-EU countries, have the same rights as Italian citizens, which means that in the event of a medical emergency they are assisted and medicated for free in the emergency ward of public hospitals.

Can an American see a doctor in Italy?

Some health insurance companies allow travellers to receive free treatment from GPs (General Practitioners) in Italy. However, the additional payments are the same as for Italian patients. Tourists can go directly to a GP's surgery. A list of GPs can be found through the local ASL.

Italian health care - What to do if you get sick?

How do Americans get healthcare in Italy?

All legal residents, both Italians and foreigners, have the right to public healthcare. These services are usually free-of-charge or subject to a symbolic cost and are provided by the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN).

What happens if a US citizen gets sick in Europe?

Special care if you become ill or injured while traveling

Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for a list of local healthcare providers and medical facilities. If your illness is serious, consular officers can help you find medical assistance, and, if you desire, inform your family and/or friends.

How much does it cost to go to hospital in Italy?

Hospital admission is usually free but may require a small co-pay fee. If you are an EU resident, bring your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). It is also important to note that although hospitals have a maximum wait time, patients may wait far longer for non-urgent care if the hospital is busy.

Is emergency care free in Italy?

Emergency medicine

Emergency medical service is always free of charge. First aid is provided by all the public hospitals: for urgent cases it is completely free of charge for everyone (even for an undocumented non-citizen), while a copay (about $35) is sometimes asked for non-urgent cases.

Do you have to pay for hospital treatment in Italy?

Getting hospital treatment in Italy if you have health insurance. If, before travelling, you have taken out a travel insurance policy that includes health insurance, you can generally expect to be reimbursed for the cost of treatment in a private hospital. However, this only applies to acute health problems.

What happens if an American goes to the hospital in Europe?

While no system is perfect, Europe's universal health care does mean that everyone is taken care of — including foreigners. So if you get sick or injured while traveling, you will receive treatment, no questions asked.

Where do you go if you are sick in Italy?

In Italy, patients are free to choose between public hospitals and private hospitals. Public hospitals normally provide both emergency and non-emergency services. At public hospitals, patients may receive emergency services at no cost or upon payment of a limited contribution, depending on the public hospital's policy.

How much does it cost to go to the doctor in Italy?

Each doctor decides the price to charge for a consultation, we do not influence the doctor's fees. The price usually varies from about 20 euro up to 150 euro on average. To see a specialist the fee is usually higher, but hardly ever more than 250 euro, even for a world class doctor.

Does my US health insurance cover me in Europe?

U.S. health insurance plans typically do not cover regular and routine medical care required overseas. This means your health insurance won't pay for care if you need to visit a doctor for a prescription medicine, or if you need treatment for a condition that is not considered an emergency.

Do Americans need health insurance in Italy?

Italy has a well-developed healthcare system, with hospitals and medical facilities available throughout the country. It is recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical expenses and emergency evacuation. Pharmacies, known as "Farmacia," can provide over-the-counter medications and basic health advice.

Can I use Medicare in Italy?

In most situations, Medicare won't pay for health care or supplies you get outside the U.S. The term “outside the U.S.” means anywhere other than the 50 states of the U.S., the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Is medical free for foreigners in Italy?

However, although Italy provides free public healthcare and extends this not only to Italian nationals, but also foreign workers, job seekers and asylum seekers, as well as unaccompanied minors, there are some categories of foreigners who already have to pay certain costs.

Are ambulance rides free in Italy?

How the service is actually provided, and the level of service that is provided, can vary from a region to another, although basic standards are quite the same. Emergency service in Italy is always free of charge.

How do I pay my hospital bill in Italy?

You can also pay online through the PagoPA service and at those locations that are part of the PagoPa network, such as the tobacconist, the post office, some supermarkets, banks or at ATM points. A ticket has a maximum cost of € 36,15. In some regions it may be as high as € 46,15.

Can an American go to the hospital in Italy?

You will find private and public hospitals in Italy that offer quality healthcare. Many expatriates or travelers would rather depend on personal insurance to cover their medical costs and therefore avoid lengthy delays in public hospitals in Italy.

Can you buy amoxicillin over the counter in Italy?

How to get antibiotics in Italy? You need a medical prescription issued by a doctor who is licensed in Italy. Pharmacists cannot dispense antibiotics without a valid medical prescription.

How long is the wait time at the ER in Italy?

Wait times at the Italian ER can be longer than 5 hours for minor issues. When you need to see a doctor while visiting Italy, you don't want to wait hours at a foreign hospital's ER. If you fall sick, DoctorsinItaly helps you see quickly a doctor who speaks your language.

Can US citizens get free healthcare in Europe?

Different European countries have different healthcare systems, some of which provide free or low-cost healthcare to their citizens and legal residents, but generally do not offer this to international tourists.

Does Italy have urgent care?

Urgent care walk-in clinics are not common in Italy as everyone has a designated primary care physician that they can visit the same day. Doctors at urgent care centers always change shifts so it's not easy to find an available English-speaking doctor.

What happens if I need medical care in another country?

Health Care Resources for Travelers

The nearest US embassy or consulate can help travelers locate medical services and notify your friends, family, or employer of an emergency. They are available for emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, overseas and in Washington, DC (888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444).