As a new wave of
austerity measures passed by the national government go into effect, the region
of Tuscany has decided to participate in the cost-cutting initiative in the
national healthcare sector, but under its own set of rules.
The Tuscan region was
initially against the national plan cut to healthcare through a 70-million euro
reduction in funding for each region of Italy and additional fees, to be paid
by citizens, for a range of medical services.
However, the Tuscan
region later decided to participate but on its own terms: an income-based fees
schedule in order to maintain the quality of healthcare services and protect
those who earn less. In Tuscany, only those citizens with an income over 36,000
euro in the last fiscal year will pay the extra fees for prescriptions; visits
to specialist; and blood, x-ray and other laboratory tests. See box for an
outline of the fee new rates.
Have questions on the
new health fees? See the Tuscan region’s website at http://bit.ly/o81hUt (in
Italian) or call the toll free number Monday to Sunday, 8am to 8pm at
055/4385901; or email ticket.sanita@regione.toscana.it (in Italian).
Tuscany’s new healthcare fees
Those earning less
than 36,000 euro (A) and other
special categories are exempt.
Those earning
36,151-70,000 euro (B) will pay 1 to
2 euro more for each doctor’s prescription filled and 5 euro more for
specialist visits.
Those earning
70,000-100,000 euro (C) will pay 2
to 4 euro more for every doctor’s prescription filled and 10 euro more for
specialist visits
Those who earn 100,000
euro or more (D) will pay 3 to 6
euro more every doctor’s prescription filled and 15 euro more for specialist
visits.
Additional fees for
blood, x-ray and other laboratory tests will range from 10 to 32 euro,
depending on income.
