Healthcare in Rome
Both a public and private sector are present, and most locals opt for a healthy combination of both.
Public healthcare in Rome
Expats working in Rome should register for the national healthcare system, Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN), immediately. This service provides residents, or those who contribute to social security, and their family, free coverage or, in the very least, heavily subsidized rates.
Only once registered, can expats select a General Practitioner (GP); and only once a GP is formally recorded in the system will they agree to treat a patient.Though the SSN is a universal system, it does vary from region to region; Rome's public facilities and available treatment are generally thought of as high quality. That being said, its important expats realize that public hospitals and clinics, though well equipped, are sparse on comfort. There are minimal amenities devoted to making a patient comfortable, and privacy is nearly unheard of.
Doctors and specialists in Rome are among the finest in the world, and a staff member on duty can usually speak English.
There are still some cases when an inefficient and underfunded bureaucracy has obfuscated the quality of treatment received in a public facility.
Private healthcare in Rome
Despite the presence of a solid public healthcare system, there are still plenty of options to receive private treatment in Rome. The most striking difference between these two sectors is not the level of care given, but the degree of comfort supplied.
Private facilities offer the privacy and creature comforts that the public sector foregoes.
This certainly comes with a hefty price tag, however; and expats planning to regularly utilize private doctors, clinics and hospitals should be sure to obtain private health insurance to help them foot the bill.
Recommended hospitals in Rome
There are a few international hospitals in Rome that have English speaking staff and doctors, such as:
- Salvator Mundi International Hospital in Viale Mura Gianicolensi
- Rome American Hospital in Via E. Longoni
- Aurelia Hospital in v. Aurelia
- Aventino Medical Group in Via Sant’Alberto Magno
- Flaminio Health Centre in Via Giambattista Vico
- Grimaldi Medical Group in Via Velletri
- Studio Medico Internazionale in Via Nizza
- International Medical Center in Via Firenze
Pharmacies in Rome
Roman pharmacies adhere to usual opening and closing times, but there are still a decent number that stay open late.
Farmacia Santa Sabina on Viale Aventino and Farmacia on Via Arenula are two examples.
Roman pharmacists tend to take their own liberties when giving medication, so be wary of self-diagnosing and requesting the drug that you think may be most appropriate; consulting a doctor is always best.
