23 Comments
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Kalpana Mohan's avatar

Omg, this was so scary to read. I'm so glad that you're doing better, Cheryl. I've concluded we'll never be happy with any medical system. Wherever we are, I think we never get appointments when we're in a dire situation (like you experienced) and there is certainly a fair amount of runaround and frustration before something is resolved. We're with an HMO here and I believe these are good only if your health is reasonably good; for any specialized treatment, you really have to jump through hoops.

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Kalpana Mohan's avatar

And that earthquake!!!! I'm wondering if you felt it a lot more with the houses perhaps being huddled together more (more even than in SF)? Glad you're safe!!!!

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Cheryl A. Ossola's avatar

Thanks, Kalpana. I may complain, but Italy's healthcare system far exceeds my experience in the U.S., particularly with an HMO. Don't get me started! In historic centers (where I am) many buildings are attached to one another. Don't know if that makes it better or worse, but my building has been here since the 1400s, so I take that as a good sign!

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Peg Goodenow's avatar

Our planned move is for July. How long do we have to wait until we are eligible for the health care? And how much is private health insurance? So glad your eyes will be ok!! We need you!

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Cheryl A. Ossola's avatar

You can enroll once you’ve established residency, if I remember correctly. However, the yearly fee isn’t prorated, so you’ll pay the same whether you enroll in January or December of that calendar year. You don’t need private insurance; I don’t know anything about it.

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Peg Goodenow's avatar

Ok. Tx so much

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Peg Goodenow's avatar

Any clue as to what the annual fee is?

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Cheryl A. Ossola's avatar

It’s based on income. It’s 7.5 percent up to around €22k and then 4 percent on anything over that. Annually. Except in some regions--I think Lazio is one of them--that just charge the minimum (can’t remember the exact amount, between €400 and €450). So it depends where you’ll be living. There are very few absolutes in Italy.

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Cheryl A. Ossola's avatar

Oh, I should add that's for non-Italians. If you have citizenship you don't pay a fee.

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felice data's avatar

glad you are ok. sounds like a seismic series of events all at once.

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Cheryl A. Ossola's avatar

Thanks, Felice!

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Tim's avatar

We are ready to come back to Perugia 😊

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Cheryl A. Ossola's avatar

Good! Perugia is waiting!

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Jan Peppler's avatar

Oh my. I wondered about you after the earthquakes... I too lived thru many during my California days and was downtown in SF for the big one in 1989. And, like you, I would have rearranged all my furniture after noticing the chandelier!

Your experience is so helpful for me to hear, to understand what to expect. And I’m very happy it has turned out ok for you with nothing too serious. Since you mentioned this was private care (the second doctor) can you share how much it cost? I’m glad your eye is healing!

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Cheryl A. Ossola's avatar

I have an enormous bookcase that is attached to the wall, fortunately, but now I'm staring at a tall cabinet filled with glassware that isn't. Uh oh. Time to fix that! Can't believe you too were there for the Loma Prieta quake. Downtown SF was NOT the place to be!

Typically you can expect to pay about €100 for a private doctor visit. Sometimes that will include a follow-up appointment; in this case it didn't. I hate paying for private care when I pay for the SSN already, but it's still a small fraction of what I'd pay in the U.S., so I can't complain too much.

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Jan Peppler's avatar

Actually, I was on the 15th Floor of 301 California St. I had a very clear thought-as my office mates were freaking out: this is NOT how I die, with a roomful of accountants! :) My flat was on 17th off Church St, just down from the Castro, and only suffered one large crack in the wall. All in all, it's a good memory and has some funny parts.

ok, that price, as you say, is not bad, considering what you would pay in the States. Even more, considering the attention you received. Did I mention that my neighbor, Enzo, amputated his fingers while sawing branches from a tree in his yard? The day we arrived. Ugh!! In the hospital for 5 days, they reconnected them and believe they will work again. We'll see. It's a story I'll have to tell on my Substack at some point. But all in all, he and everyone else are very pleased with the doctors and hospital and all the care he has received.

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Cheryl A. Ossola's avatar

Oh god, how horrific! I sure hope he’ll regain the use of his hand. And the 15th floor?! [shudder]

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Ellen LaPointe's avatar

Whew! Glad you are ok. Good story (as always)!

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Cheryl A. Ossola's avatar

Thanks, Ellen! And thanks for reading, as always.

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Antonella Bassi's avatar

Spero che tutto prosegua per il meglio. Auguri!

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Cheryl A. Ossola's avatar

Grazie mille, Antonella!

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Tim's avatar

Wow, I worked at Phillips Eye Institute in Minneapolis which is one of very few hospitals totally dedicated to eyes. We did surgery on hundreds of detached retinas. So please be careful.

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Cheryl A. Ossola's avatar

Interesting! Thanks, I’ll try to limit my furniture hauling and other not-smart activities!

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