Insurance in Italy

The Italian government provides near comprehensive public dental and health insurance and prescriptions for all who live in Italy or the European Union, provided they register with the National Health Service. Private health insurance is required by law for others to enter Italy. Complimentary private health insurance is also available in Italy for those already registered with the National Health Service who may wish to have full health coverage, reduce their waiting times in hospitals, or supplement their choice of available medical treatment facilities to include private hospitals and clinics.

Private health insurance policies from other countries can often be extended to apply in Italy as well. Some private health insurance companies have arrangements with Italian hospitals to bill them directly, but in other cases it is the patient with private insurance who must pay the doctor up front and wait for a reimbursement from the health insurance company. Italian health insurers usually deal with Italians who already have public insurance, and thus tend to cancel policies more readily in the event of illness, leaving the small amount to be paid by the patient.

Both public and private hospitals in Italy are considered to offer a good quality of health care to patients. Private hospitals in Italy are often operated by the Roman Catholic Church.