The Truth About Italian Medical Care: Interview with Dr. Andrea Armenio

Рет қаралды 8,249

Күн бұрын

We have had many questions about Italian healthcare for expats and we have had some experiences with some of our clients needing medical care in Italy. Here is what you need to know from Dr. Andrea Armenio, a specialist in reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgery and Medical Director IRCCS-Oncological Institute "John Paul II" of Bari.
Contents:
00:00 - Introduction
00:55 - Andrea's background and experience
01:54 - Medical emergencies
03:00 - Billing procedure and fee structure
04:49 - Fractures: treatment procedure and fees
07:42 - Continuous treatments
08:40 - STP Card for temporary healthcare access
10:19 - Private vs. national health system coverage
11:38 - Cost for hip replacement procedure
12:35 - Drive yourself or use an ambulance?
16:01 - When to apply for national healthcare
Thanks to Studio Legale Metta for hosting this interview. You can more information on their services at www.studiolegalemetta.com/en/
STP Card: The Straniero Temporaneamente Presente, or Foreigner Temporarily Present, card is valid for 6 months, can be renewed, and is issued free of charge for non-EU/non-resident individuals who do not have legal immigration status. It can be obtained through a hospital at the time of an emergency visit, or in advance through any Local Health Authority (ASL) office. The STP card covers the following services:
* Urgent treatments that cannot be postponed without danger of life or damage to the health of the person
* Essential treatments that are related to non-dangerous diseases in the short-term, but could eventually create health problems or be life-threatening
* Continuous treatments that allow for treatments for longer periods
More information on the STP card is on the Agenzia Entrate website: agenziaentrate.gov.it/portale...
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Disclaimer: I am not a real estate agent in Italy nor am I an architect or attorney. Please consult with the appropriate professional on your own specific circumstances.
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Пікірлер: 98

@rickkimbrough9597 4 ай бұрын

This is so true. My wife and I retired to Italy 6 years ago because we realized that the US would be too expensive. Fortunately my wife is an Italian citizen so I was able to get my health card within a couple of months. I have to see a cardiologist once a year and decided to opt for a private cardiologist. My cost is €130 a year. The thing I found most impressive on my first visit was that the cardiologist came to the waiting area himself and introduced himself. He then took me back to his office where we spent the next 45 minutes one-on-one. He performed the EKG himself and at no time did I see an assistant or nurse. It has continued to be this way for the 6 years we’ve been in Italy. I’m 71 years old and this is without a doubt the best care I’ve experienced. The medical professionals care about the patient and not about the money. I won’t even begin to tell you about my cancer experience but I would say that I would probably not be here today without my Italian doctors.

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC 4 ай бұрын

Hi Rick! Thank you so much for weighing in. Pete had the exact same experience with his cardiologist. And the price was the same. It is amazing to me the quality of care, and it seems almost like a throwback to a time in our country when doctors made house calls and knew their patients by name. I have had fabulous medical care here, if you are familiar with the rest of the videos on the channel, I recently broke my ankle and had to have surgery and honestly this hospital experience was the best and least expensive I have ever had.

@suzyblake2007 Жыл бұрын

I can't even find the words to express how valuable the information in this video is. I am quickly seeing that I can no longer afford to live in the U.S. This is a very sad fact but makes me realize that I would have a much happier, healthier life in Italy. Thank you!!!

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC Жыл бұрын

I was amazed at how affordable medical care is ever without any form of insurance. I was so happily surprised.

@suzyblake2007 Жыл бұрын

@@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC me too! Happy news.

@tres5533 Жыл бұрын

My friend did the same. The US is about MONEY, everwhere else is about human care.

@jamestaylor8860 8 ай бұрын

I was hoping for this type of info. The us healthcare system leaves a lot to be desired.

@StudioLegaleMetta Жыл бұрын

It was our pleasure to host this interesting conversation, thanks for coming to Bari!! 🙌

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC Жыл бұрын

Thank you guys!

@poettute Жыл бұрын

Thank you Chris, very encouraging news

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC Жыл бұрын

I thought you would like it!

@frankd3505 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for the Video, very informative, was Ill in Venice while on vacation, treated in Emergency room promptly , saw triage doctors, specialist, received treatment, endoscopy etc, 350euro was bill, in America maybe $ 10,000 ,or more without Insurance

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC Жыл бұрын

Hi Frank, I am so sorry you got ill in Venice but happy you got great care for a very small amount of money. I hope you are ok now!

@panterone1769 Ай бұрын

Ma ricordi la bellezza rinascimentale dell'ospedale di Venezia

@cmcg2095 Жыл бұрын

Great information! Thank you!

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC Жыл бұрын

You are so welcome!

@paulosullivan3991 Жыл бұрын

That was fantastic , top class, great information

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much Paul! We were so lucky to have Dr. Armenio give us that amount of time and priceless information. Glad you found it helpful!

@rosaliegalasso791 Жыл бұрын

Thank you! Nice to know!

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC Жыл бұрын

You are so welcome!

@patrickhughes3411 Жыл бұрын

Great information. Thanks for the video.

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC Жыл бұрын

You are so welcome Pat!

@BrightSparkIdeas 10 ай бұрын

Thank you, Chris. Health care is so important and as always with your videos you provide excellent and comprehensive information.

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC 9 ай бұрын

Thank you! We are so lucky to have Dr. Armenio who is just wonderful. He shares his expertise so beautifully here.

@colinesaw8438 Жыл бұрын

Chris having been watching your videos for the last two year's, this has been the most valuable information to date. Your questions, answered 90% of the issues i needed answered. Thank you vey mush and keep up the good work

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC Жыл бұрын

Hi Colin! This is great news! I am so glad it helped! Hope to see you soon in Calabria! It was so fun meeting you lat time!

@gloriagodfrey3899 10 ай бұрын

Thank you.

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC 10 ай бұрын

You are so welcome!

@rosaroberto6480 Жыл бұрын

Very informative Chris, Grazie!😊

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC Жыл бұрын

You are so welcome!

@cynthiahudson7528 Жыл бұрын

Great information, thank you.

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC Жыл бұрын

You are so welcome Cynthia!

@beckymastache Жыл бұрын

Such great information. After recently visiting Italy & falling for SDT, I didn't really need any more convincing, but you've still managed to convince me more. Thank you, Chris.

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC Жыл бұрын

Hi Becky! Fantastic! This was great news! I was so happy when I found it out!

@valeriewerne712 Жыл бұрын

I follow your channel and wanted to let you know we are praying for the community and families that are affected by the floods and landslides. On another note thank you for the information on healthcare in Italy. I am a nurse and have actually done research on the differences in Healthcare around the world. I think it is good to know for several reasons. Thanks again. Valerie

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC Жыл бұрын

Thank you Valerie, We are also praying for those victims. Southern Italy got hit pretty hard with the rain. We had a similar thing happen in Tortora but as far as I know no one was injured but there was a lot of property damage. Calabria weather is extremely volatile.

@robertharry7652 Жыл бұрын

Very informative video! Thank you!

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC Жыл бұрын

You are so welcome! Glad it helps.

@CavityCreep1 Жыл бұрын

This was great, thanks!

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC Жыл бұрын

You are so welcome!

@maureenmcshane5988 7 ай бұрын

Very informative, thank u for doing this informative. AND, TY for finding a good looking doctor for the podcast😊

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC 7 ай бұрын

LOL I just sent this to a friend and told her that Dr Armenio was dreamy and she write back saying OMG! Yes! he is totally dreamy! He has a lot of lady fans! If he were an actor he would be a famous leading man. As it is he is medical angel for women who really need someone to care for them.

@TheSicilianLife Жыл бұрын

REALLY great information~! Learned a lot. I just sent this link to my husband so he can watch too. Thanks for sharing. We are STILL waiting on our medical cards to arrive from Rome, and we have been here 8+ months.

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC Жыл бұрын

Hi Guys! Wow! Pete got his right away in Praia a Mare. You may want to check back and see if there is a hang up.

@keywestcatlady Жыл бұрын

Thank-you for This, Chris! I was very impressed with the medical system in Italy.

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC Жыл бұрын

It is actually really good and very affordable.

@LightMovies 8 ай бұрын

@@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC According to the World Health Organization, Italy has the second best healthcare system in the world, after France.

@mattmason372 Жыл бұрын

Useful, and matches my experience when my wife broke her leg in Sicily in the spring. This would have been a useful education to have then!

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC Жыл бұрын

Oh gosh! I am so sorry for your wife! I hope she is ok now!

@IleneJarv Жыл бұрын

Invaluable information

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC Жыл бұрын

Thank you! So glad you found it helpful!

@IleneJarv Жыл бұрын

@@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC I've been so worried about the what-it's when we're there. This information gives us a much better understanding of seeking healthcare if we need it. Can you talk about the Guardia medica service? My Italian teacher mentioned it.

@mayawyn8672 Жыл бұрын

Excellent informative video! I’d be interested in hearing a bit more about general information and rough costs/coverage about the kinds of supplemental coverage available in Italy for American seniors who live there 3 months on 3 off and own or rent homes in both countries. Thank you so much for your valuable advice already offered. (btw Pete’s a whiz with the drone these days!).

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC Жыл бұрын

Thank you Maya! I would like to know more abut that too. It could be a huge money saver because trip insurance is so expensive. I will see what I can find out.

@ToItalywithLove 11 ай бұрын

Wow!!! I can’t wait until we can get my husband’s citizenship!!! As a RN in the US it makes me sad an embarrassed to think this is what our health care system looks like compared to Italy!!

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC 11 ай бұрын

That is so exciting! Yes Dr. Armenio was so great to explain everything to us. Being close to Bari now it is so nice to know we have him and his associates so close by. Lovely people too.

@joycef2499 Жыл бұрын

Thank you Chris, amazing video explaining all the questions I had. I am an Australian and just found out that I am an Italian citizen, can you tell me the difference between a resident and a citizen, can I live there or do I need to apply for residency?

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC Жыл бұрын

Thank you! You do also have to register with the commune where you will be living.

@joycef2499 Жыл бұрын

@C C thanks

@michellew3932 Жыл бұрын

I also wonder about those who are on our US social security that have Medicare. Does Medicare reimburse any emergency treatment oversees? I don’t have Medicare but I know my private US insurance will reimburse me, but I fall into that category of 3 months in, 3 months out and not full time. Also Chris, for all of us Calabrian buyers where are the nearest public and private facilities if we need to drive ourselves for treatment? Great info, hoping not to have to use but as we both know having husbands with similar issues this is so important. Damn, the price differences are staggering!

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC Жыл бұрын

Hi Michelle! From what I am finding, Medicare does not reimburse you for foreign care but I have not really scratched the surface yet. I am looking for myself and Pete and will update you on what I find out. I will be making an appt with someone who can go over all of it with me. it is very confusing. I do know that whatever hospital you go to they have to triage you. We have gone to the one in Belvedere Marittimo but there is one in Praia too. When we were in SDT I noticed an ambulance out the back of the village and asked Antonello about it. he said that they are planning on keeping it there to cut any transport time getting a critical patient to the hospital. I was so happy to hear that!

@jamestaylor8860 8 ай бұрын

Love ur channel. It’s timely I think. Question? How do you qualify for medical treatment. Do you have to be a citizen? What about our us citizenship?

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC 8 ай бұрын

Hi James, You can get universal health care if you are a resident and you go through the process of getting your elective residence visa and your permit to stay visa. If you are.a citizen or become one you automatically are eligible. That said, if you are admitted to the hospital through Er your treatment is free.

@terrypagano201 7 ай бұрын

Chris, thank you for making this video. I do have a few areas I am not clear about. I plan to retire on an ERV next fall. I am a New York State employee who can choose to keep my health insurance (the Empire Plan) in retirement paying between $150 - 200 USD/month. Medical costs will be paid at 80% if I reach the high deductible. I plan to live in Puglia under the 7% incentive. Once I get my ERV and retire to Italy, will I become eligible for the Italian healthcare system right away as a tax resident or is there a waiting period? In the video, private healthcare is discussed. Is this another insurance to have along with the Italian healthcare system? Or is it a pay by the service option? What kind of health insurance will the consulate seek for an ERV? I would appreciate your help in determining what I will need to have before and after moving to Italy. Terry

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC 7 ай бұрын

Hi Terry! Thank you for writing! From what we have seen there eis no waiting period. After you get your ERV and Permesso di Soggiorno I think you can go right ahead and get your Carta Sanitaria which makes you eligible for health insurance. To supplement that you can get private insurance or pay as you go. About the type of plan the consulate seeks, that I am not sure. Studio Legale Metta can advise you on that and they have insurance companies and policies they can recommend. Good luck and hopefully we see you in Puglia!

@goodphone156 Жыл бұрын

For people who come from the east and who are part of European union have the same rights or duties apply to them exactly as Italians or foreigners residing in Italy. All European people who are part of the European union find the same assistence procedures , example If ine Italy you use a Germany health facility or in another European region you will find the same assistance as you would find in Italy with the same rights and duties and vice versa. While it is different for foreigners who come from outside the European border.

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC Жыл бұрын

Oh this is great to know! Thank you and Merry Christmas!

@ehulbert5 Жыл бұрын

Obviously, one cannot get the elective resident visa without insurance. How much would the insurance cover with the minimum required international insurance, and how much is covered with the NHS, after 1 year of residency?

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC Жыл бұрын

It is my understanding that you do need a 1 year medical insurance policy for the first year then after that you do not and those policies are not much, a few hundred euros a year. I am not sure exactly what all is covered and I am sure there are different plans.

@annazettler4179 2 ай бұрын

❤ what about pain management..is that available in Italy??

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC 2 ай бұрын

I am not sure. I am sure they do but I have no experience myself.

@Rick_Alden 9 ай бұрын

What amazes me as an Italian citizen covered by universal healthcare are the amounts of money being spoken about without the blinking of an eye. I pay nothing for healthcare in Italy. My guess is simply you make more money in the US than in Europe, so paying the comparatively lower fees are appealing.

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC 9 ай бұрын

Yes I think you are right. Healthcare is insane in the states and by comparison it is a lot cheaper here.

@patriciasandler1562 Жыл бұрын

What about Italian non-resident citizens. I think we are entitled to 90 days emergency treatment.

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC Жыл бұрын

It is my understanding that if you are admitted to the hospital via the er, you do not pay. If you come in any other way you do.

@vayu3917 Жыл бұрын

adesos I did not understand everything, but as an Italian and resident in Italy, if I am admitted to hospital I pay nothing, perhaps he was speaking for foreigners or non-Europeans (for Europeans emergencies are always guaranteed). In any case, admissions are also based on emergencies (first the emergencies and then gradually the rest, depending on the availability of places in the hospital, it may be that you are temporarily placed in a ward that is not the one you have to go to if there is no space (for example, if you have to be admitted to gynaecology with an emergency but the ward is full, they move you to maternity and vice versa), but these are sporadic cases . It has to be said that I live in a region in northern Italy and on average healthcare in the north is better than in southern Italy

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your insight. There are some places in the south where the media treatment is stellar. This doctor is in Puglia and I have heard great things about their medical care.

@vayu3917 Жыл бұрын

@@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC yes there are excellences even in the south (as doctors) the problem is that sometimes the facilities may be more lacking in quality not the professionalism of the doctor (who are generally well trained in Italy) 🙂

@jorusnak1998 Жыл бұрын

What about a general practitioner doctor?

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC Жыл бұрын

You can find them all over. We have one in our village that we use. He is great and he can refer us to whatever specialist we need.

@Lorre982 Жыл бұрын

Each district has an office whit a list of doctor working in the city/town/village, you will choose from this list, you can choose a doctor from a other town if you want.

@goodphone156 Жыл бұрын

But these payments are aimed at foreigners who don't have residence in Italy , obviously they are not aimed at Italians and as far as I know not even at foreigners who have residence there if you use government public facilities .

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC Жыл бұрын

yes, I believe he was discussing going private. Thank you!

@dianaa.8270 11 ай бұрын

I need bioidentical hormone. I am going to be living in Italy. Where can I get them Please help doctor.

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC 11 ай бұрын

I don't think, Dr, Armenio has time to follow the comments here. I can ask at the pharmacy when I go. Please write me at info@supersavvytravelers.com

@irene8564 10 ай бұрын

Ok, this sounds good. But please, do not forget, some hospitals are really old, house caretaker do just the minimum. On sunday, there is no toilet paper in the public toilet. The care of the nurses is ok, but the minimum. And then, they have less and less people who work there (like everywhere in Europe) The nurse told me, to bring some bottles of water for my father, so he has enough water to drink. This never happened to me in Switzerland. I think, Switzerland is too expensive and is too much luxury. But this in Italy made me angry. There are a lot of people, they do their job well. But there are also a LOT of "menefreghisti" (I don't care, it's not my problem!).

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC 10 ай бұрын

Hi Irene, This is not my experience although I d know it is very different in that you do have to bring a lot of your own supplies however the care here is very good and I have to say I think the medical care here is superior to the care in the US. After the pandemic they decided they did not have to provide service despite the fact that we were paying over $1,000 a month for basic health care. It is so much cheaper here and I was treated like a queen.

@donny_bahama 9 ай бұрын

What if you’re a woman who is in the highest risk bracket for breast cancer and you want to have preventative dual mastectomy with reconstructive surgery? In the US, this is not an option for most women unless they can afford to pay cash. I imagine it would be the same (have to pay cash) but how much would it cost?

@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC 9 ай бұрын

If you are a resident I assume it is covered under the universal coverage in Italy. If you choose to pay cash you will need to get the costs from your doctor.

@LightMovies 8 ай бұрын

@@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC That kind of surgery is not covered by the national system neither for those who have citizenship because is not under LEA (Essential Assistence Levels), and it's threated like a plastic surgery. In Italy no one can do their business with public (taxes) money. For a mastectomy, you have access only if you have a cancer diagnosis. Anyway, even a private mastectomy should be more affordable than in the US. I've never seen anyone paying more than 30.000$ for a surgery here, and it was a spinal cord surgery, with 4 month of ospedalization.