For those who already have experience from obtaining their PdiS, I am wondering which health insurance you used to show as proof of having coverage for 6 months.

I searched here and didn't really come up with too much for the international medical/health insurance plans that Italy will ok and be familiar with, specifically when presenting for the PdiS.

I came across IMG, BUPA, Phaexpat, and Travel Guard (although I believe this one is only TRAVEL insurance and not HEALTH. Difference there).

From just browsing and noticing the costs, I am liking IMG so far - a 7 month plan for a few hundred -, BUT all that doesn't matter if it's not going to be okayed by the person I am applying for the PdiS through.

I would hate to spend several hundred $'s only to find out it's not good enough or recognized by Italy.

So, for the ones who already went through this PdiS process, which international (or Italian for that matter) health insurance company did you use, and present to Italy for the PdiS application?

Were they okay in looking at the policy in English, or do you have to have it translated in to Italian?

Obviously, there has to be quite a few people out there that got their PdiS and I know one of the requirements is proof of health insurance, so I need your help here.

Thank you.

Ciao!

Altho I can't answer your question about which company is best, I can tell you that all we had to show was our BC/BS card....no policy. They just want you to have SOMETHING....the degree of coverage is up to you.

I went to the post office and bought the student health insurance here in Italy. Not sure if there is something similar that you can buy as a non student....

sorry not much more help

Lori

I had IMG. You don't really get a price until you've arranged the policy and are ready to pay. It cost me $1766 and covered no pre-existing conditions, and no pharmaceuticals, so I thought it was pricey.

We went with a UK-based insurer called InterGlobal - because the international expat insurance providers calculate their prices on an age basis, and InterGlobal, in our case, came out cheapest by quite a margin. We took the cheapest, basic, no-frills coverage, which was essentially hospital coverage. It didn't cover doctors, specialists, etc. The consulate didn't examine the policy. All they needed to know was that we were covered in some way so they only checked our receipt for payment of the premium.

The six months coverage - as against twelve months - is an even cheaper way to go. Someone at the Italian consulate in Sydney told us that a six months policy would be accepted on the basis that you should have residency status within six months, and, hence, be eligible to join the local system. Although, as it happens, we will only just have our residency inside six months after arrival.

It's also worth bearing in mind that, according to the locals, there is no pro rata calculation when you join the local system. As it was put to us, if you join in, say, November, you pay the cost of 12 months coverage for 2 months of coverage.

Hey, thanks guys for your input!

Sure, I'm not looking for the best, just wanted to make sure to use a company that Italy will accept.

Looking through various PdiS requirements, I keep seeing 6 months coverage needed. Right before I leave, I'll sign up for 7 months, to allow a month buffer zone.

I went to the IMG site and began the "check out" process. It was a few hundred $'s for 7 months of $50,000 coverage and with the $100 deductible plan. I may go with them or with the InterGlobal indicated by Graeme.

So right, I guess that makes sense; Italy just wants to make sure you have at least something.
But on the flipside, I know from reading a couple reports that they may tend to turn away travel insurance as it is different from true health insurance. I can understand that. I have an international travel insurance type plan through. Pretty basic. But I wouldn't want to risk relying on that. I'd rather dish out the extra few hundred and get a plan that is more recognized.

Well, thanks again for your help!

Ciao!

Trinacria, this may be a red herring, as I am not sure if this company is ONLY within italy, but you might check it out. My situation is a little different (I am an italian resident who needs travel health insurance when returning to the USA for work). I use Globy (http://www.globy.it)and have been very happy with them. Like I said, this may not be helpful to you, but just in case it might be thought I'd mention it.

this may be covered somewhere else, but I couldn't find it, so i hope maybe it can be answered on this thread.

If I am getting a work visa, do I need proof of current health insurance to get that visa? I was planning on getting the work visa and then signing up for the public healthcare once I am there and working and contributing.

I currently carry an accident policy and a short-term disability policy that I will continue to carry until I feel absolutely no need for. If I do have to have health insurance between the issue of the work visa and commencement of contributing to public health in Italy (i.e. working), does anyone think that these two policies I have will be sufficient?

other factors if it makes difference: I am a US citizen, mid-20s and just two weeks ago had a full physical with blood work and except for some seasonal allergies, currently i'm in good shape and my doc would give me a letter saying that i'm healthy.

THANKS!

You have to apply for the work visa in the US, so check your consulates website for a list of required documents for the visa.

I do know that at SF for a student visa you have to either have health insurance, or sign a form saying you will register for it when you get here.

Lori

Thanks again!

Any other PdiSer's can tell of which company they used at the time of applying?

The "Living, Studying and Working in Italy" book (which might be a bit outdated in certain aspects) indicates Travel Guard, Wallach and Co. (MedHelp Worldwide), Travel Insured International, and Travel Safe Insurance.
Anybody have any experience with them?
Again, I feel Travel Guard for example is moreso a travel insurance and NOT health insurance type plan. I've used them before and it was just travel insurance. Italy may not approve. Some have even said they don't. Little confused why that book would recommend them.

Anyway,

This thread will be good for future PdiS (or even other) applicants to weigh out and decide between the different international health insurance providers that we already know Italy has okayed.

Ciao!

okay- so this is one of those times where I have read too much "legalese" and my head is spinning. I'm hoping maybe one of our fearless leaders/moderators/knowers-of-legal things can help out.

The boston consulate has this on its page of visas

"As of June 1st 2004, all travellers to the Schengen States must provide PROOF OF HEALTH INSURANCE for their entire period of stay in the Schengen area. .
US health insurances are accepted ONLY with signed letters from the insurance provider confirming overseas coverage. For insurances purchased just for the trip, the whole travel period must be covered and medical expenses' coverage should not be less than $37,500.


So if I get it correctly I will have to have health insurance no matter for what purpose I am entering Italy. And health insurance for coverage greater than $37,500. And trinacria...you said you needed it for sixth months -is that amount of time for your personal plans or is that a length of time you were told you needed it.

If this is one of those "ask your consulate" questions, because it will depend on who handles your papers and how they interpret stuff, that's fine. But if there is a hard and fast rule out there that other people have encountered, and I am just REALLY missing it...i would like to know that!

Also...came across a thing on the Boston Consulate web page that is under the "dependent work visa" section that states that "Proof of funds: bank letter stating account number and exact balance, on letterhead and signed by bank official." Any dependent work visa holders know about this? Logically, it seems to me that proof of funds would be more pertinent for on wishing to hold an autonomous work visa. But the above statement was only in the section on dependent work.

Help Please!!

trinacria-

i checked out that IMG site because what you listed seemed to be a too-good-to-be-true deal. I may be wrong, but it appears that the few hundred dollars is a MONTHLY premium. So for 6 months of coverage with a $100 deductible...that's around $1300 total.

Please let me know if I am wrong because that's a pretty sweet deal otherwise!

ooooooookay....

i think i was wrong. In fact i'm pretty sure of it. Yup, wrong.

SO- Way to go trinacria finding a good deal! apparently it pays to be in one's 20s!

-LM

For the PdiS for citizenship, if the comune you chose requests the proof of insurance, it has to be one that covers pregnancy and has to be valid for a minimum of 6 months and all prepaid. I know that generali group had good deals before.

quote:

Originally posted by LM:


"As of June 1st 2004, all travellers to the Schengen States must provide PROOF OF HEALTH INSURANCE for their entire period of stay in the Schengen area. .
US health insurances are accepted ONLY with signed letters from the insurance provider confirming overseas coverage. For insurances purchased just for the trip, the whole travel period must be covered and medical expenses' coverage should not be less than $37,500.


So if I get it correctly I will have to have health insurance no matter for what purpose I am entering Italy.

I think this is just for tourist etc visas. Not for work visas.

"WORK VISA

There are two different categories of work visas: subordinate and independent. In both cases the procedure to obtain a visa must be started in Italy. The number of visas issued is limited by quotas set by the Government yearly.

In the case of a subordinate work visa (or "visto per lavoro subordinato"), the employer in Italy must request a nominative authorisation to work in Italy for a specific period from the competent Italian Immigration Office, known as "Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione". Upon receipt of this authorisation, the Consulate will issue the corresponding visa.

An independent work visa (or "visto per lavoro autonomo") allows entry to foreigners who intend to exercise a profession, including one of an artistic nature, on an independent basis. The profession and the type of activity exercised will determine the requirements which must be met in order to comply with Italian legislation (for example, registration with a professional association, authorisation or licensing, registration with a Chamber of Commerce, etc.). All the necessary documentation must be submitted to the competent Italian Immigration Office ("Questura") in order to obtain a provisional authorisation to enter Italy, known as "Nulla Osta provvisorio". Upon receipt of this authorisation, the Consulate will request the same documentation be resubmitted, along with proof of accommodation in Italy, before issuing the corresponding visa.

Applicants who intend to exercise an independent profession that does not require registration, licensing and/or authorisation, must submit the following:

a) a copy of the contract and of the company’s registration;

b) a copy of a "Declaration of responsibility", sent by the Italian company to the competent Employment Office, stating that there will be no subordinate work relationship established;

c) a statement from the employer ensuring a salary above the minimum required to contribute into the national health care system;

d) a copy of the company’s last income tax return or of its last income statement ("Ultimo bilancio depositato") showing that the company can guarantee a salary as specified in point c);

e) availability of suitable lodging;

f) provisional authorisation to enter Italy ("Nulla osta provvisorio") from the competent Italian Immigration Office ("Questura")."

That's the requirements for a work visa from the local consulate. Look at section C. Your employer must state you'll be making enough money that you'll be paying into the national system. In other words that's your health insurance.

thanks Nick!

I would suggest you just purchase the Italian policy (Assitalia) for cittadini stranieri. The Questora will recognise it without any issues. They tried to push me to do it since they didn't really want to understand my Cigna International insurance. I got them to approve me, but they still gave me the form for their insurance. The rates are MUCH better than you have all been discussing. The form I have is a year old, so it may have changed a little, but you can get the idea:

For up to 40 years old:

72.30 Euro for each covered person up to 6 months of coverage.
118.78 Euro for each covered person more than 6 months but less than 1 year of coverage.

For over 40 up to 65 years old:

92.96 Euro for each covered person up to 6 months of coverage.
154.94 Euro for each covered person more than 6 months but less than 1 year of coverage.

I got the form at the Questora, but you might find it online too. All you do is take it to the post office, pay, then bring your receipt with you to prove coverage. No muss, no fuss!

WOW these are great rates! Do they do travel insurance as well?

Oh wow! Thanks Jim.
I think I'll go with that.
Just wait till I get to Italy and apply for it, seeing that I'm doing everything else from there and really don't need to have the insurance beforehand in the States.

Should be fairly easy right, and not take too long to get it?
I have to apply for the PdiS within 8 days of course.

The only reason for this insurance is just to get the PdiS, I'll just register with the SSN afterwards of course.

Yeah, if the people where you are applying for PdiS are pushing Assitalia along, and sometimes being sticklers about foreign international plans, then I'll think it wise that I go along with their request.
Besides, it's so much cheaper!!

Thanks!

Ciao!

I had a similar experience to Jim from Perugia. The questura didn't seem to recognize the private insurance company we had (even though all the documents were translated into Italian) and we ended up going to the post office to buy 6 months of the Italian insurance which wasn't too expensive. I didn't worry about what it covered because I kept my private insurance as well. Good luck!

Thank you elenadestefano for your input, it's just more confirmation!

Did you get the Assitalia or some other type?

Was it recently, within the past couple years or so?

I assume Assitalia should still be applicable, not sure when that was Jim went for the PdiS.

Thanks!

Ciao!

I received the information about the Italian insurance about a year ago. A friend of mine had to go through the same thing, though, just this past June. That's why I know that the rates are now slightly different. Not much different, but enough that the copy of my form I gave him was no longer any good.

You asked how long the process takes... It depends on the line at the post office, but it is basically immediate. As soon as you pay, it is good. Just show the receipt.

As far as I know, once you pay you are elligible for the full medical coverage as if you were a resident here.

Nice, thanks!

I'll add the post office to my list of stops to make when I arrive. Seeing it'll be Rome, it'll probably be an all day afair, . No biggie though.

I do cringe a bit at applying in Rome seeing that it may take so long, but I can't really see myself initially living elsewhere while I wait for the process, and I feel I have to remain in one spot while I wait for any correspondance. I can't really rely on a newly found landlord or whatnot, to inform me of any mailings.

But if Rome is being impossible for taking citizenship apps, I'll just have to go to another comune.

Gee, sure wish I was there now. But I have to get some more things in order in my preparation for departure mid-2006.

Still trying to figure out how I'm going to book my ticket as well. 3 months, 6 months, or? I don't know if they may frown upon a 6 month ticket if initially you're only supposed to stay there for 3 months. But I feel most likely I'll be there longer than 3 months in the long run anyway. So, not sure how to book.

Anyway.

Ciao!

Just a note, you need to find the form before you go to the post office. I got mine from the Questora. Only problem is that it's not worth the wait in line if you don't already have what you need. I've not tried at the commune, but they may have it. Check online, but they are notorious for not having that stuff up to date. Worse case, start begging on this site a few months before you arrive. Somebody will need to go to the questora! They get a form and scan it in and e-mail it to you.

None of the people I know who have gotten the 3 month PDIS needed to have a return ticket. They never asked! But... you might want one anyway since a one way ticket can only be had at the unrestricted fare (highest coach fare). You would do better to buy a round trip ticket with a 3 month return, then change it later. Check first, the airlines all have rules on how much you can push the return out to stay within certain fare bands.

Good luck!

Ciao

Jim in Perugia. Are those Assitalia rates you quoted monthly or for the whole 6 months of coverage?