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06 – Tessera Sanitaria (Medical Insurance)

Getting sick without insurance is extremely costly. In Italy, the National Health Service has a standard insurance system, the “Assicurazione Volontaria al Servizio Sanitario Nazionale”. An ID card is issued by the ASL (Azienda Sanitaria Locale) for those insured, called the “Tessera Sanitaria”, which also serves as your Codice Fiscale card.

Medical insurance is required to renew your Permesso di Soggiorno. Apply for the ASL Tessera Sanitaria as soon as possible. For newcomers during summer, check if you can already apply for one, otherwise you will need to get a different kind of medical insurance until you may do so.

(More notes below.)

Prepare the following documents in pdf, substituting “Familyname” with your own family name:

Then apply online.

  1. Email the above documents to: sportello.distretto13@aslroma1.it
  2. Email subject: richiesta Tessera Sanitaria per [YOUR NAME AND FAMILY NAME]
  3. Email body:
    =================

    Stimati Ufficiali, vorrei gentilmente richiedere la Tessera Sanitaria. Allego documenti pertinenti.

    Medico da Famiglia scelto: [NAME OF DOCTOR YOU CHOSE, WITH THE COD. AND ADDRESS IF YOU HAVE THEM]

    [FOR NEWCOMERS ONLY, WHO HAVE NOT YET DONE THE FINGERPRINTING AT THE QUESTURA, PLEASE ADD]
    Non ho ancora nessun vecchio Permesso di Soggoiorno dato che sono arrivato recentemente. Allego invece le ricevute Poste Italiane e la Convocazione per il Fotosegnalamento presso la Questura di Roma.

    [FOR NEWCOMERS ONLY, WHO HAVE ALREADY DONE THE FINGERPRINTING AT THE QUESTURA, PLEASE ADD]
    Non ho ancora nessun vecchio Permesso di Soggiorno dato che sono arrivato recentemente. Allego invece le ricevute Poste Italiane che ho già presentato alla Questura di Roma.

    Con distinti saluti.
    [YOUR NAME AND FAMILY NAME]
    [YOUR CELFONE NUMBER]

    =================
  4. Don’t forget to attach the pdf documents!
  5. They might send you the libretto in pdf via email the same day or a few days after. Double check your information, and reply to their email if there is some error (name, address, etc.).

As soon as you receive your Tessera Sanitaria and Cedolino from ASL.

  1. Email both documents to the PCF Rector. He needs to show a copy of your Tessera Sanitaria and latest libretto if you have to be brought to the hospital. In an emergency, there might be no time for you to find your copy and give it to him.
  2. Email both documents to your doctor, along with the following details:
    • Cognome:
    • Nome:
    • Data di Nascita:
    • Età:
    • Sessso: maschio
    • Luogo di Nascita:
    • Codice Fiscale:
    • Indirizzo: Via Aurelia 490 – 00165 – Roma
    • Cellulare:
    • Email:
    • Residente del: Pontificio Collegio Filippino
  3. For those who choose Dra. Balonan, also email her your signed copy of this Privacy form (just indicate the date, your family name and name, and sign).

Using the Tessera Sanitaria.

  1. Note that sometimes the card expiry is up to five or more years from the present. This only means that they do not have to replace the card; but it does not mean that your insurance is still valid. THE VALIDITY OF YOUR INSURANCE IS INDICATED BY THE DATE ON YOUR LATEST LIBRETTO (“OR CEDOLINO”), NOT BY THE DATE ON THE CARD. The card’s later date simply means that when you renew come January, you will not be given a new card, since your old card is still useful (even though your health care insurance benefits ended last December 31).
  2. The new libretto will be valid until December 31 of the current year, or until the expiry of your Permesso di Soggiorno, whichever comes first. In the latter case, just email (or return to the ASL office) when you get your new Permesso di Soggiorno, so that they will give you a new libretto valid until December 31. Be sure to attach via email (or bring to the ASL office) your latest libretto, a copy of your Poste receipt to show that you had already paid previously, and a copy of your new Permesso di Soggiorno.)
  3. If you need to have a check up, go to the doctor you indicated. For simple complaints, this doctor will give you a prescription. Buy your medicines from any pharmacy, showing your Tessera Sanitaria and the doctor’s prescription, which entitles you to discounted prices.
  4. If your sickness requires some examinations (blood test, x-ray, ultrasound, etc.) or operation, your “medico di famiglia” will give you a prescription for the tests, and may refer you to a specialist doctor. He will inform you where you can set the appointment and have the tests done. You will be charged a “ticket”, that is, a co-payment, of around €31 per test or visit to the Doctor. But the amount saved (compared with paying for these procedures without the Tessera Sanitaria) will be much more that the cost of the Tessera Sanitaria itself.
  5. If your situation is urgent, you will be scheduled for follow up within a few days. If your situation is not urgent, you might have to wait long for your schedule, as it means that there are others with graver illnesses than yours. In the latter case, you might have to wait weeks or even months. An alternative would be to go to a private clinic (but affiliated or “convenzionata” with the government system) to be checked earlier, at discounted prices.
  6. Emergency Room services are completely free in Italy, and do not require the Tessera Sanitaria. But the moment one is transferred to the wards for admission, one will be asked for the Tessera Sanitaria (even if the stay was initiated from the Emergency Room). If you do not have the Tessera Sanitaria, you might be considered a private patient and asked to pay for all the fees, which will run into thousands of Euros after just a few days. The Collegio Filippino will not be responsible for paying the bills.
  7. This medical insurance is valid for the whole European Union, so bring your Tessera Sanitaria if you need to go out of Italy. Switzerland is NOT a member of the European Union. Hence it is recommended that you also get an insurance when you book your plane tickets for trips outside the European Union.
  8. Check their website for updates. For the current fees, click on their link there, where it says, “contributo forfettario annuale”.

SPECIAL NOTES FOLLOW.

If your Permesso di Soggiorno expires within the year.

  1. When your Premesso di Soggiorno expires, the system automatically deactivates your Tessera Sanitaria, without informing you.
  2. The day after your Soggiorno expires, look for your latest Tessera Sanitaria application in your email, which was supposed to be last January. Note that the Tessera Sanitaria services are not automatically renewed, so you have to do the steps outlined here even if you already received your new Permesso di Soggiorno recently.
  3. Reply to that email, writing the following:

    “Stimati Ufficiali,
    allego (A) ricevute poste del rinnovo permesso di soggiorno, (B) convocazione presso l’ispettorato vaticano, (C) la tessera sanitaria, e (D) bolletino pagamento ALS per l’anno corrente — con la richiesta di gentilmente rinnovare la mia tessera sanitaria fino a 31 dicembre.

    Medico di Famiglia scelta:
    BALONAN, Jerilyn Tan
    Codice: 092739

    Con saluti cordiali.
    [YOUR NAME AND FAMILY NAME]”
  4. Change the medico di famiglia name and Codice if you prefer another doctor.
  5. Attach in the email the same set of documents indicated above when applying for the Tessera Sanitaria.
  6. The ASL will reply to your email in a day or week, with a new Cedolino, still indicating the validity of up to Dec. 31.
  7. Email a copy of this Cedolino to the PCF Rector and your Medico di Famiglia.

If ASL replies that they cannot find your residence address:

  1. This probably means that when you applied for the Codice Fiscale, the agent there did not enter your PCF address. In the past (or in the present if you are lucky), the agent will just put the PCF address in your Codice Fiscale record, so you will not get such a reply from the ASL.
  2. Starting 2019, the agent might tell the student to:
    • first get a Permesso di Soggiorno (to make him legal in Italy);
    • then get a Cambio di Residenza to register him in the Anagrafe (Registry Office) of the Comune, which takes around two weeks to process;
    • and finally to return to the Agenzia delle Entrate to put the PCF address in his Codice Fiscale database.
  3. The Permesso di Soggiorno is required to get a Cambio di Residenza (according to the Cambio di Residenza form).
  4. The Cambio di Residenza processing may take up to two weeks, so be sure to apply for one as soon as you get your Permesso di Soggiorno. Follow this guide for the Cambio di Residenza, where you will also see how to change your Codice Fiscale address, needed to continue your application for the Tessera Sanitaria.
  5. Meanwhile, also apply for a Carta d’Identità. This is needed if Government or private offices within Italy ask for an ID instead of the passport (not valid outside Italy).

If ASL asks you to go to their office.

  1. Make one photocopy each of all the above documents. If the document has information back to back, for example, the Permesso di Soggiorno, then the photocopy should also be back to back, just like the original – not on separate sheets, and not two sides of the document on the same side of the sheet!
  2. Call for an appointment at 06 6835 3271 (unless you received an email or text message giving you an appointment). As of January 2021 they do not accept walk-ins without an appointment.
  3. Bring the ORIGINALS AND PHOTOCOPIES to the ASL office indicated (should be at Via Boccea 271 – 00167 Roma 15 minutes away walking).
    • As of February 2020 they are open Mondays to Fridays 10:00-12:00, but just follow the appointment given to you.
    • The old office at Via Valle Aurelia 115a – 00167 Roma no longer receives applications.
    • Alternative offices and telephone numbers to make an appointment are Via Tornabuoni 50 (06 6835 6243) and Boccea 625 (06 6835 4563).
  4. Before you leave the counter, make sure you are given back:
    • the originals of the documents you showed (Passport, Permesso di Soggiorno, Codice Fiscale, Post Office ricevuta, etc.)
    • depending on the ASL Personnel, they may or may not get the original of your Certificato di Iscrizione from the University;
    • a printout of your Tessera Sanitaria, which is valid for all legal purposes, as the original card of which will reach you by mail after a few days; and
    • a new libretto (described above).

Preference for the ASL Tessera Sanitaria.

With the ASL Tessera Sanitaria, visits to the medico di famiglia are free. Many types of medicines are free, including those for maintenance, while others may be obtained from any pharmacy with a huge discount.

  • Training institutions in first world countries, where medical costs are high, require a health insurance from their students. Similarly, the Collegio Filippino requires that each priest student is properly covered when it comes to medical needs.
  • Visits to specialists, laboratory tests and operations could be free or may require some payment but at much lower fees than normal. This insurance covers most illnesses, even preexisting ones, as well as maintenance medicines.
  • On the other hand, dental and opthalmological services are not covered; you will need an insurance costing some €500 a month for these.
  • Without the ASL Tessera Sanitaria, a visit to the doctor for a simple check-up could cost €100 to €200, blood tests and x-rays €250, ultrasound €400, etc.
  • We had a student who spent only 30 Euros, optional to have his medical records mailed to him. For the following months he needed daily injections and medicines, one of which costs 90 Euros per tablet, taken daily – all were free or heavily discounted because of the Tessera Sanitaria.
  • Based on their positive experience as to the quality of care, the Rector of another Collegio has recommended the Istituto Dermopatico dell’Immacolata (or IDI). It is run by a religious order, the Congregazione dei Figli dell’Immacolata Concezione and is very close to our Collegio. While the cost of ticket if any (or co-payment) is the same as in public hospitals, the waiting period could be shorter and services better. Just show them your University ID, and say that you stay at PCF.

Other types of medical insurances have been offered by some universities or insurance companies. However, they might:

  • be of the indirect insurance type, meaning, you will have to pay for all the bills, and the insurance will study on a case to case basis to see whether you are eligible for refund or not, and if ever, perhaps after some months;
  • require admission (at least overnight) in the hospital, otherwise out patient visits and laboratory tests are not covered;
  • exclude or charge additional for annual check ups, as well as pre-existing or other common illnesses considered part of normal life and ageing (hypertension, kidney diseases, diabetes, etc.);
  • put a maximum amount for refund each year, and for higher limits, the policies would cost more than the ASL Tessera Sanitaria (which in turn has no limit).

    Given the above limitations and inconveniences, and since most medical needs of Collegio Priests are visits to the doctor for check-ups rather than hospitalization, the Collegio Filippino does not recommend or facilitate any insurance policy aside from the ASL Tessera Sanitaria.

Without the ASL Tessera Sanitaria (even with other types of medical insurances), make sure that you know exactly what to do in case of illness, as scenarios and insurance coverage may differ immensely.

  • In some cases, it will be extremely difficult to accompany you to the doctor, as he or the hospital will be asking for a Tessera Sanitaria or ask for a certification to guarantee that you are able to pay.
  • Even assuming that one is admitted for free through the Emergency Room, one might be automatically considered a private patient, and might be asked to pay for all the hospital fees, which will run into thousands of Euros after just a few days. Post-hospitalization care and medication might not be free.
  • You need to submit a document for the Collegio Rector to file, formally indicating, in case you need to see the doctor: who should accompany you, and where to get the money for eventual payments (including those not covered by your other insurance).
  • Such document should be countersigned for acceptance by the person(s) you indicated who will accompany you and who will pay outstanding bills.
    • This is because in the Dichiara for the Permesso di Soggiorno, the Rector is required to certify that the Collegio will take care of the priests’ medical needs — which can be carried out only by obtaining an ASL Tessera Sanitaria or an alternative guarantee from each one.
  • Taking care of one’s health is ultimately one’s responsibility. For his own peace of mind, the priest himself should ensure that he is properly covered.

Details for preparing the documents:

Familyname 1 Iscrizione – Allegato 7.pdf

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Familyname 2 Extracomunitari – Allegato 8.pdf

  • Form.
  • Sample.
  • Select name of doctor from www.salutelazio.it. Those who wish may indicate Dr. BALONAN Jerilyn Tan (codice 092739). She is a Filipina, with clinic at nearby Via Baldo degli Ubaldi 22, a 10-minute walk from the Collegio. Please inform her in case ASL replies that her slots are already filled, as this might not be true.

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Familyname 3 Bolletino Postale.pdf

  • Towards mid-December, pay this online, at the Post Office or a Tabacchi. Ask others with experience how and how much the service fee is. If at the Post Office, get a number by pressing the button for Servizi Finanziari – Bolletini (usually button letter F), and wait for your turn to be called.
  • Sul C/C n.: 370007.
  • Di Euro (amount): €700.00, whether your Premesso di Soggiorno is for Motivo Studio or Motivo Religioso (as of 2024).
  • Importo in lettere: settecento Euro e zero cent.
  • Intestato a: AMM. P.T. REGIONE LAZIO
  • Causale: ISCRIZIONE AL S.S.N. ANNO 2024 [indicate current year!]
  • Eseguito da: [put your name and address]

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Familyname 4 Autocertificazione.pdf

  • The Autocertificazione di Residenza is a simple letter you sign (pdf ok), stating that you live in PCF.
  • Sample:
    ========================
    [DATE]

    ASL-Roma 1 – Distretto 13
    via Boccea, 271 – 00167 Roma

    io, [NAME AND FAMILY NAME], certifico che abito presso il Pontificio Collegio Filippino, a Via Aurelia 490 – 00165 Roma.

    Con saluti cordiali,
    [NAME AND FAMILY NAME]
    ========================

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Familyname 5 Passaporto.pdf

  • Valid Passport (information page only).
  • For newcomers, include your valid visa.

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Familyname 6 Soggiorno.pdf

  • Scan both sides.
  • If expired, also scan the ricevute Poste.
  • Newcomers with no Soggiorno and no fingerprinting yet: also scan the ricevute Poste when you applied for the Soggiorno and the Convocazione per la Fotosegnalamento.
  • Newcomers with no Soggiorno but with fingerprinting done: also scan the ricevute Poste, which should already have a date handwritten somewhere by the Police.

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Familyname 7 Tessera Sanitaria.pdf

  • None if first application.

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Familyname 8 Cedolino medico anteriore.pdf

  • None if first application.
  • Some also call this the “libretto”, given to you the last time you applied. It is the bond paper sometimes with a missing 1/4 part, with the words on the upper left: “Regione Lazio” and “TESSERA DI ISCRIZIONE AL SERVIZIO SANITARIO REGIONALE”, and on the lower half, “ELENCO STUDI MEDICI”.

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Familyname 9 Carta di Identita.pdf

  • If you already have one.

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Familyname 10 Universita.pdf

  • Certificato di Iscrizione from the University.
  • It has to indicate that you are enrolled in current school year, not just continuing from the previous school year or pre-enrolled.

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Familyname 11 Codice Fiscale.pdf (if no Tessera Sanitaria yet)

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Familyname 12 Delega.pdf (only if ASL asks this of you)

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