My husband and I are moving to Rome (Campo de'Fiori) January to May 2007. I am pregnant and inquiring about how to find good doctors in the area. I do not think I will deliver the baby in Rome, but you never know. I want to find good prenatal care. Also, what is the cost for health insurance/doctor visits? I have tried to find international maternity coverage from the states, but it doesn't seem to exist.

I am also bringing my 14 month old son. He is very healthy, but could you give me any information on how pedatric care works/where to find a good doctor - just in case? Any information you can give me would be helpful.

grazie!
lindsay

Hi Lindsay
This should be some helpful hint.
Last summer in July 2006, My six year old son got sick while I was on vacation. Instead of going to a doctor I took him to the emergency room at Bambin Gesu’ hospital located on the Gianicolo hill. The doctors treated him right away. The admittance was immediate and courteous. Excellent service and free of any charge. I must say that when I went to the children hospital in DC 3 years ago I was shocked that the food the Hospital was serving in its cafeteria was junk: Fried chicken and burgers ... ouch ! –

Anyway I have free heath care since I am Italian – You will be a foreigner living in Italy : Please check on the Hospital website here
http://www.ospedalebambinogesu.it/po...sp?iditem=2440
The hospital is quite close to Campo de Fiori.
It seems that you will have all the rights as an Italian Citizen as long as you will have a work permit / residency in Italy. They also have some English on the website.

Anyway usually having a private insurance in Italy it is better but is not as necessary as here in the US so you might look for some options as you get there since for any emergencies there are Hospitals anyway.

Paolo

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. My husband is a student on a semester abroad in rome so HE has a student visa, but I do not. Do you think I will still have residency because I have an address? thanks for the tip on the Bambin Gesu' hospital. I will check it out.
lindsay

Hi,

Before leaving for Italy, I think it would be a very good idea to visit the Italian Embassy or a consulate general to ask ALL your questions; or phone them at least. There are American medical centers in Italy. I live in Milan and there is one here. But probably you will have to pay or have insurance, but maybe I am wrong.
I have a lot of experience with gynecologists here in Italy,and can tell you about the cultural differences between American and Italian and what to expect. I can answer your questions. Just send me an email.

Karin

Actually my sister is a Doctor. She graduated in Italy but then she came to NY to do her internship and she decided to stay in NYC where she is her her practice. If you do not find a doctor I can ask my sister a referral since one of her best friend is a ginecologist in Rome.
Paolo

It would be great to get a name. at least that would be something to start with.

thanks,
lindsay

Karin,
thank you for replying. I thought I had insurance to cover me while i lived in rome and last week they told me the pregnancy would not be covered. I have exhausted all my resources for finding insurance and I don't think it exists at this point. I guess if i have some kind of residency permit I would basically be treated like an italian. I don't know what exactly the permit is - i have an address there - is that it? can I get something more official before thursday? (i leave jan 4)

Do you have any idea what a doctor visit costs out-of-pocket? I have a healthy baby and normal pregnancy, but I still need prenatals. What are the differences between the cultures - is there anything major I should be aware of? I am bringing all my paperwork, but of course it is in English so it would be great to go to an american clinic. However, I do not mind going to an italian doctor that speaks english. I have been working a little on Italian, but that doesn't include any medical terms.

thank you again for responding. any help would be great. it sounds like you've had some experience. did you actually deliver a baby in Milan?

lindsay

Hi Lindsay,

The first thing I have to say is that it is best to go with a referral. Paolo's sister is a doctor so it would be good idea to talk with him. If I was moving to Rome and had to find a doctor I would do the same.

In the Milan area, a private doctor visit (not through the public system) costs about Euros 150,00 excluding laboratory tests. Cultural differences are: (1) privacy is 'more' respected here in Italy than in the USA between a doctor and patient. For example, the patient keeps the medical records with them, not the doctor or the clinic. Although some changes are now being made through integtrated computer systems; this may or may not be good for a patients confidentiality. I prefer the Italian way of maintaining privacy, i.e. keeping my own records, being alone with my doctor. Also, privacy is enforced in another way, i.e. nurses are 'not' present in the doctor's office like in the U.S.A.; therefore, you are alone with your doctor unless you choose to bring your husband or other family member along. (2) Also, in the hospitals you 'are' allowed to have your spouse stay with you overnight in the hospital room. This is something that you do not see in the USA. (3) Medical attitude is more paternalistic here in Italy than in the USA; in the USA patient autonomy is more respected; for me patient autonomy is important. It took me a while to adjust, but there are progressive thinking doctors in Italy and they will respect patient autonomy. (4) When you make an appointment, generally you are speaking with the doctor; some clinics use receptionists. (5) Another difference between the American and Italian medical practice is that when your Italian doctor is not available, then they are not available. What that means is that, there is not another doctor that is taking your doctors calls, if they happen to be away for the weekend or are on holidays. If you have a problem you have to go to a hospital emergency room. This is the one thing I do not like here in Italy. If I have a probelm I want to be able to reach my doctor and not deal with a new doctor that is unfamiliar with my situation.

If there is an emergency, you will get treated in a hospital here in Italy. They do 'not' turn people away. But for other matters, I really do not know. I think the best thing for you to do is to contact the Italian Embassy or one of the Italian consulate generals in the USA to ask more detailed questions about your situation. Also, when you arrive in Rome I recommend you visit the American Embassy on Via Veneto, it's across from the Hard Rock Cafe. They are open weekday morinings 9:00 - 12:00. Someone there can help you too. I have not ever delivered a baby in Italy, although I know of many American women that have done so. I would ask Paolo about a doctor referral, because his sister is a doctor.

Regards,
Karin

My sister friend is a ginecologist, her name is Suela. She comes highly recommended by my sister. I also asked about a substitute and my sister says that she does has a substitute when she is not available. However Karin was rigt too, I don't remember that years ago when I lived in Italy the concept of substitute doctors. I guess that slowly we will be globalizing everything. There is also another doctor friend of my sister who is moving to Rome from NYC. Anyway please send me a private email for the number
Paolo