I alwas assumed that those covered by Italy's national health plan were covered when they travel outside Italy -- for example while on vacation outside italy and the EU. I saw Laurie's post inside the thread "For those who already got PdiS..." -- and was surprised to hear that's not true. Or is her case different because she will be working (and possibly living?) in the U.S. For example, would SSN cover an Italian resident while on vacation for a month in the U.S.? How does that work?

Joe, I'm an italian resident, and only travel to the U.S. to work once in a while. The Italian health plan only covers within the EU. All italian residents (citizen or non), need to get other health insurance if travelling outside the EU. The Globy insurance I get from my travel agent (or you could go online and do it yourself...www.globy.it) is excellent and costs relatively little. Let me know if you want more info

Thanks for the information and Web site, Laurie.

Does an insurance such as your Globy cover pre-existing conditions? or is it just for emergencies while travelling? I'm wondering, for example, if someone needs some sort of surgery and wants to go have it done in the states...can you use this kind of "travel" insurance?

Ellen, I don't believe so, but check their website. I can also dig through the info for you if you can't get it online, or ask my travel agent. They were, however, extremely liberal with my dental claim. I had an emergency, PLUS routine work done. I declaired it all, as it was all on the same dentists bill, assuming I'd be riembursed only for the emergency part, but they paid it all - even after I explained to the agent (who called me immediately in NY from Milan), that part of the bill was NOT emergency care.

thanks laurie - don't bother digging thru your stuff...I was just curious for future refence. If I need to I'll dig through their website or go to a travel agent. That's great about the dental work! I can't seem to find dental insurance anywhere...and we have most of our work done when we go back to the states, so maybe I'll give it a try!