The Italian Health System (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale - SSN) is organized at regional level under the supervision of the Ministry of Health. The local health authorities (Aziende Sanitarie Locali) are in charge of the services for free or upon the payment of a co-payment fee (ticket).
Also NHS-affiliated private care clinics (strutture sanitarie accreditate) deliver care services as the local health service.
The Italian Health System provides:
- hospitalisation and treatment;
- basic medical care (General Practitioners and paediatricians);
- specialist medical care by paediatricians, midwives and other specialist doctors;
- medication at a discounted price;
- laboratory tests, aids and devices;
- ambulance service and other free services provided by the local healthcare authority (e.g. family planning clinics).
It guarantees medical treatment in public health facilities when this is urgent or, however, necessary due to disease or accident. A fee or co-payment may be charged.
