Introduction

Finding your way through the SSN, insurance, co-payments (tickets), codes and acronyms is not straightforward, especially in a large city like Rome. This glossary brings together the terms that appear most frequently in our guides and in everyday practice – from the Emergency Room to specialist visits, from public to private care – to help both people who have always lived in Italy and expats.
For each entry you’ll find:
Term / acronym — Simple definition · When it applies · Useful documents

How to read the entries
Definition: practical explanation, without bureaucratic jargon.

When it applies: in which situations you might come across that term or service.

Useful documents: what you should have with you (Italian Health Card, referral, insurance policy, etc.).

A

Accreditato (privato convenzionato) – in-network public provider
 Definition: Private clinic or provider that delivers services on behalf of the SSN, following public rules and tariffs.
 When it applies: When you want to use the public channel (with ticket or exemption) in a private clinic.
 Useful documents: SSN referral (impegnativa), Italian health card (TS), ID.

ADI (Assistenza Domiciliare Integrata) – home healthcare
 Definition: Healthcare and assistance provided at home by local teams (nurse, therapist, doctor).
 When it applies: After discharge, for frail or chronically ill patients.
 Useful documents: Medical request from GP or hospital specialist.

AFT (Aggregazione Funzionale Territoriale) – GP network
 Definition: Organised network of GPs and pediatricians working together in the same area.
 When it applies: Explains why your GP shares services and on-call duties with others.
 Useful documents: TS, GP’s details.

AIRE (Anagrafe Italiani Residenti all’Estero) – register of Italians abroad
 Definition: Registry of Italian citizens officially living outside Italy.
 When it applies: Temporary returns to Italy, SSN rights, consular matters.
 Useful documents: AIRE registration, ID, proof of foreign coverage when relevant.

Ambulatorio – outpatient clinic
 Definition: Facility for visits, tests and minor procedures without overnight stay.
 When it applies: Routine check-ups, specialist visits, basic diagnostics.
 Useful documents: TS, ID, referral if using SSN.

ASL (Azienda Sanitaria Locale) – local health authority
 Definition: Local public health authority managing SSN services (GP choice, exemptions, vaccines, etc.).
 When it applies: SSN enrolment, choosing/changing GP or pediatrician, exemptions, public vaccinations.
 Useful documents: TS, tax code, ID, income or medical documentation for exemptions.

B

Branca specialistica – medical specialty
 Definition: Specific medical field (cardiology, dermatology, etc.).
 When it applies: To identify which specialist you need.
 Useful documents: GP letter, previous reports.

Breve degenza / Day hospital (DH) – day hospital
 Definition: Daytime admission for tests or treatments, no overnight stay.
 When it applies: Infusions, complex tests, minor procedures needing observation.
 Useful documents: Hospital appointment letter, TS, ID, recent tests.

C

CUP (Centro Unico Prenotazione) – public booking centre
 Definition: Central system (phone, counters, online) for booking SSN services with a referral.
 When it applies: Booking public or accredited services in Lazio/Italy.
 Useful documents: SSN referral (impegnativa), TS, personal data.

Cartella clinica – medical record
 Definition: Complete record of a hospital stay (diagnosis, tests, therapies, discharge summary).
 When it applies: Second opinions, insurance claims, disability procedures, legal issues.
 Useful documents: Formal request to the hospital, ID, possibly a proxy.

Catch-up vaccinale – catch-up vaccination schedule
 Definition: Vaccination schedule to recover missed doses.
 When it applies: Late starters, missed childhood vaccines, new arrivals to Italy.
 Useful documents: Any vaccination booklet or certificates from other countries.

CF (Codice Fiscale) – tax code
 Definition: Personal code used in all relations with Italian authorities and for invoicing.
 When it applies: SSN enrolment, billing, prescriptions, insurance paperwork.
 Useful documents: TS or separate tax code card.

Consenso informato – informed consent
 Definition: Document you sign after receiving information about benefits, risks and alternatives of a procedure.
 When it applies: Before surgery, invasive procedures, special treatments.
 Useful documents: ID; ask for explanations or translation if you don’t understand Italian.

Continuità assistenziale (116117) – out-of-hours service
 Definition: Medical service outside your GP’s working hours (former “guardia medica”).
 When it applies: Non-emergency problems at night, weekends, or holidays.
 Useful documents: TS, list of medications, previous reports.

Convenzionato (con SSN) – contracted with SSN
 Definition: Provider that works within SSN rules and tariffs.
 When it applies: When you want to pay only ticket or use exemption.
 Useful documents: Referral, TS, exemption proof.

Co-pay / Ticket – co-payment
 Definition: Portion of the cost paid by the patient for SSN services, according to regional rules.
 When it applies: Visits, tests, some ER visits.
 Useful documents: TS, exemption certificate if any.

D

DAT (Dichiarazioni Anticipate di Trattamento) – advance directives
 Definition: Legally recognised document where you state your decisions about end-of-life treatments in advance.
 When it applies: Serious chronic illness, planning for future incapacity.
 Useful documents: DAT filed with the municipality or notary; copies for family and doctors.

Day surgery (DS) – day surgery
 Definition: Surgical procedure with same-day discharge.
 When it applies: Minor or planned surgery that doesn’t require overnight stay.
 Useful documents: Pre-op tests, consent forms, ID, TS.

DEA (Dipartimento Emergenza e Accettazione) – Emergency Department hub
 Definition: Hospital department dedicated to emergencies, including ER and emergency units.
 When it applies: Severe acute conditions requiring hospital emergency care.
 Useful documents: TS and ID if available; in real emergencies, care is provided anyway.

Direct billing (assicurazioni) – direct billing
 Definition: The clinic invoices your insurance company directly; you pay little or nothing upfront.
 When it applies: Policies with direct billing arrangements.
 Useful documents: Insurance card, policy details, pre-authorization.

Dimissione protetta – protected discharge
 Definition: Hospital discharge planned with follow-up community services (home care, aids, check-ups).
 When it applies: Frail patients who can’t be simply “sent home”.
 Useful documents: Discharge letter, treatment plans, contacts for community services.

Diagnosi (ICD) – ICD diagnosis code
 Definition: International classification code for diagnoses.
 When it applies: Insurance forms, hospital summaries, statistics.
 Useful documents: Discharge letter, medical reports.

E

EHIC / TEAM – European Health Insurance Card
 Definition: Card for medically necessary public care during temporary stays in EU/EEA/CH.
 When it applies: Travel within Europe; using public hospitals/clinics.
 Useful documents: TEAM (on the back of Italian TS), passport/ID.

ENI (Europeo Non Iscritto) – EU citizen not enrolled in SSN
 Definition: Code for EU citizens not enrolled in SSN, allowing essential care.
 When it applies: Short stays or irregular situations without SSN enrolment.
 Useful documents: ID, proof of EU citizenship.

Esenzione (dal ticket) – ticket exemption
 Definition: Right not to pay co-payment due to income, age, pregnancy, chronic disease, disability, etc.
 When it applies: Booking tests/visits, getting medicines.
 Useful documents: Exemption certificate, TS.

Elettivo / Cure programmate – elective care
 Definition: Planned, non-urgent medical or surgical care.
 When it applies: Waiting lists, programmed admissions or surgery.
 Useful documents: Referral (SSN), quote and pre-authorization (private/insurance).

F

Fascicolo Sanitario Elettronico (FSE) – Electronic Health Record
 Definition: Digital record containing your reports, prescriptions, exemptions, etc.
 When it applies: Checking your clinical history online and sharing documents with doctors.
 Useful documents: SPID or electronic ID for access.

Fattura parlante – itemized medical invoice
 Definition: Detailed invoice including patient data, service description, amounts, date, VAT number, stamp, and sometimes diagnosis. For vaccines, the batch number is noted.
 When it applies: Tax deductions, insurance reimbursements.
 Useful documents: Tax code, insurance requirements.

Farmacia di turno – out-of-hours pharmacy
 Definition: Pharmacy open at night or on holidays.
 When it applies: Urgent medicines outside normal hours.
 Useful documents: Prescription if needed, TS.

Franchigia (assicurazioni) – deductible
 Definition: Fixed amount you must always pay before the insurance starts reimbursing.
 When it applies: Any use of your health policy.
 Useful documents: Policy wording, insurance card.

G

GDPR – General Data Protection Regulation
 Definition: EU regulation on personal data protection, including health data.
 When it applies: Privacy notices, data processing by clinics and doctors.
 Useful documents: Signed privacy consents.

Guardia medica – out-of-hours GP
 Definition: Former name of the out-of-hours service (see 116117).
 When it applies: Non-emergency problems when your GP is closed.

GHIC – UK Global Health Insurance Card
 Definition: Post-Brexit card for UK citizens, similar to EHIC in some countries.
 When it applies: UK residents travelling in EU.
 Useful documents: GHIC, passport.

H

Hospice – hospice
 Definition: Residential facility dedicated to palliative care and end-of-life support.
 When it applies: Advanced diseases, pain control, support for families.
 Useful documents: Referral from specialist, clinical documentation.

I

Impegnativa – SSN referral/prescription
 Definition: Referral from GP/pediatrician or public specialist to access SSN services.
 When it applies: Booking SSN visits, tests, therapies.
 Useful documents: TS, the referral itself (paper or digital).

Intramoenia (libera professione) – private practice within public hospital
 Definition: Private visits provided by hospital doctors inside the public hospital.
 When it applies: You want to see a specific hospital specialist more quickly, paying private fees.
 Useful documents: ID, insurance card if it covers private practice, payment method.

116117 (Continuità assistenziale) – out-of-hours number
 Definition: National number for non-emergency out-of-hours medical care.

112 / 118 – emergency numbers
 Definition: 112 is the Single European Emergency Number; 118 is the traditional Italian number for medical emergencies/ambulance.
 When it applies: Life-threatening or serious emergencies.
 Useful documents: None; just provide clear information by phone.

ICU / TI (Terapia Intensiva) – intensive care unit
 Definition: Hospital unit for critically ill patients needing continuous monitoring and life-support therapies.

L

Libera professione (extra-moenia) – private practice
 Definition: Private clinical activity performed outside the public hospital.
 When it applies: Private visits with flexible schedule and location.
 Useful documents: ID, insurance card, payment method.

M

Massimale (assicurazioni) – coverage limit
 Definition: Maximum amount your insurance will pay for a given service or period.
 When it applies: Planning expensive treatments or surgery.
 Useful documents: Policy wording, clinic quote.

Medicina dello sport – sports medicine
 Definition: Specialty that issues fitness certificates and evaluates athletes.
 When it applies: Competitive or non-competitive sports certificates.
 Useful documents: ID, previous tests, ECG if requested.

MMG (Medico di Medicina Generale) – GP (general practitioner)
 Definition: Family doctor within SSN for adults.
 When it applies: First contact for health issues, prescriptions, referrals, chronic care.
 Useful documents: TS, list of medications, previous reports.

N

NRE (Numero Ricetta Elettronica) – e-prescription code
 Definition: Code of the dematerialised prescription used for medicines and SSN services.
 When it applies: At the pharmacy or booking centre.
 Useful documents: NRE (SMS, printout, app), TS.

Network (assicurazioni) – provider network
 Definition: Group of clinics and doctors contracted with your insurance (in-network).
 When it applies: To access direct billing or better reimbursement.
 Useful documents: Network list, insurance card, pre-authorization.

O

OBI (Osservazione Breve Intensiva) – short-stay observation unit
 Definition: Area next to the ER for short-term observation before discharge or full admission.
 When it applies: Conditions needing monitoring but not immediate admission.

Out-of-network – out-of-network provider
 Definition: Provider outside the insurance network, usually with lower reimbursement.
 When it applies: You choose a clinic not in the network.
 Useful documents: Itemised invoice, reports, claim form.

P

Pediatra di Libera Scelta (PLS) – pediatrician within SSN
 Definition: SSN pediatrician for children (usually up to 14/16 years).
 When it applies: Routine checks, vaccines, acute illnesses.
 Useful documents: Child’s TS, vaccination booklet.

Piano terapeutico – treatment plan
 Definition: Formal document from a specialist authorising specific drugs or treatment paths.
 When it applies: Special therapies, high-cost medicines, devices.
 Useful documents: Copy for GP, pharmacy and insurance.

Pronto Soccorso (PS) / ER – emergency room
 Definition: Hospital service for urgent/emergency care, with 5-level triage.
 When it applies: Acute severe symptoms, trauma, suspected stroke/heart attack, etc.
 Useful documents: TS, ID if possible.

PTA (Presidio Territoriale di Assistenza) – community health centre
 Definition: Local facility offering outpatient services and diagnostics outside major hospitals.
 When it applies: Less complex visits and tests near home.
 Useful documents: TS, referral if using SSN.

Preventivo – quote/estimate
 Definition: Written estimate of costs for visits, tests or surgery.
 When it applies: Comparing facilities, requesting pre-authorization to your insurer.
 Useful documents: Medical request, clinical summary.

R

 Referto – medical report
 Definition: Written report of a visit or exam (diagnosis, recommendations, follow-up).
 When it applies: Follow-up, second opinions, insurance reimbursements, disability assessments.
 Useful documents: Keep it and bring it to future appointments.

Ricetta elettronica (dematerializzata) – e-prescription
 Definition: Your doctor’s digital prescription, replacing the old red paper form.
 When it applies: Medicines, tests, SSN specialist visits.
 Useful documents: NRE (electronic prescription code), Italian Health Card (TS).

Ricovero (ordinario / DH / DS) – hospital admission
 Definition: Staying in hospital for one or more nights, or only during the day (day hospital / day surgery).
 When it applies: Surgery, complex therapies, clinical monitoring.
 Useful documents: Admission letter, pre-admission tests, personal documents.

Rimborso (assicurazioni) – reimbursement (insurance)
 Definition: Partial or full repayment of expenses, according to your policy conditions.
 When it applies: Private services paid directly by the patient.
 Useful documents: Itemised medical invoice (“fattura parlante”), reports, claim form, any required prescription.

S

 S1 / S2 (EU forms)
 Definition: European forms. S1: Recognition of healthcare entitlement in another State (e.g. pensioners). S2: Authorisation for planned care abroad.
 When it applies: Cross-border healthcare, change of residence between States, planned treatment in other EU countries.
 Useful documents: S1/S2 forms issued by the competent authority, medical documentation.

Screening – screening programmes
 Definition: Preventive programmes (mammography, pap test, colorectal screening, etc.) aimed at healthy populations.
 When it applies: Regional invitations for specific age groups, cancer prevention.
 Useful documents: Invitation letter, Italian Health Card.

SDO (Scheda Dimissione Ospedaliera) – hospital discharge summary form
 Definition: Administrative-clinical document summarising a hospital stay, used for statistics and reimbursements.
 When it applies: Administrative and management purposes; the patient usually receives the discharge letter, not the SDO itself.
 Useful documents: Managed and stored by the hospital.

SERD (ex SERT) – public addiction services
 Definition: Public services dedicated to the treatment and follow-up of addictions (substances, alcohol, gambling, etc.).
 When it applies: Addiction treatment pathways, medical and psychological support.
 Useful documents: ID, Italian Health Card; access can also be via medical referral.

SISP (Servizio Igiene e Sanità Pubblica) – public health and hygiene service
 Definition: Service responsible for vaccinations, infectious diseases, health certificates and prophylaxis.
 When it applies: Public vaccinations, certificates for schools or communities, notification of infectious diseases.
 Useful documents: Italian Health Card, vaccination booklet, requested certificates.

SPDC (Servizio Psichiatrico di Diagnosi e Cura) – psychiatric diagnosis and treatment unit
 Definition: Hospital psychiatric ward for acute admissions.
 When it applies: Acute psychiatric crises, compulsory treatment (TSO), need for intensive psychiatric care and containment.
 Useful documents: Managed via Emergency Room and mental health services.

SSN (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale) – Italian National Health Service
 Definition: Italy’s public healthcare system.
 When it applies: Primary care, hospital care, medicines, screening programmes.
 Useful documents: Italian Health Card, any exemption certificates.

STP (Straniero Temporaneamente Presente) – temporarily present foreigner code
 Definition: Code assigned to non-EU citizens not enrolled in the SSN, to guarantee access to essential care.
 When it applies: Short or irregular stays with healthcare needs.
 Useful documents: Any available identity documents; the local health authority (ASL) issues the STP code.

T

 TEAM (EHIC)
 Definition: See EHIC / TEAM.
 When it applies: Temporary stays in EU/EEA/Switzerland.
 Useful documents: Italian Health Card with TEAM on the back.

Ticket – co-payment (“ticket”)
 Definition: See Co-pay / Ticket.
 When it applies: Payment of SSN services.

TI (Terapia Intensiva) – intensive care
 Definition: See ICU / TI.

Triage (a 5 codici) – 5-level triage
 Definition: Initial assessment in the Emergency Room assigning a colour-coded priority level (red, orange, green, blue, white).
 When it applies: Every access to the Emergency Room.
 Useful documents: None specific; it is an internal clinical act.

TS (Tessera Sanitaria) – Italian Health Card
 Definition: Health card for people enrolled in the SSN; the TEAM (EHIC) is printed on the back.
 When it applies: Every time you access public or SSN-contracted healthcare services.
 Useful documents: Italian Health Card (TS), ID document.

TSO (Trattamento Sanitario Obbligatorio) – compulsory psychiatric treatment
 Definition: Compulsory psychiatric admission ordered under specific legal conditions.
 When it applies: Severe psychiatric conditions with danger to self or others and refusal of care.
 Useful documents: Procedures are managed by doctors and the competent authorities.

U

 URP (Ufficio Relazioni con il Pubblico) – public relations / patient liaison office
 Definition: Office handling information, complaints and suggestions within healthcare facilities.
 When it applies: Complaints, requests for clarification, feedback on services.
 Useful documents: ID, any supporting documents (reports, letters).

Urgenza / Emergenza – urgency / emergency
 Definition: Urgency requires rapid intervention; emergency requires immediate intervention because life is at risk.
 When it applies: Acute symptoms, severe pain, trauma, breathing difficulties, etc.
 Useful documents: If possible, Italian Health Card and personal documents.

V

 Vaccinazioni – vaccinations
 Definition: Immunisations recommended according to the national schedule, individual risk or travel.
 When it applies: Childhood vaccinations, adult boosters, pregnancy, international travel vaccines.
 Useful documents: Italian Health Card, vaccination booklet, any required certificates.

Visita intramoenia – intramoenia visit
 Definition: Private consultation provided by a doctor in intramoenia regime, inside a public facility.
 When it applies: Choosing a hospital specialist with shorter waiting times or dedicated time slots.
 Useful documents: ID, any clinical documentation, insurance card if your policy covers private practice.

Appendix – Useful insurance terms (for expats)

Pre-autorizzazione – pre-authorization
 Definition: Advance approval from the insurance company before a healthcare service.
 When it applies: Hospital admissions, surgery, high-cost exams or treatments.
 Useful documents: Cost estimate, diagnosis, treatment plan.

Claim form – claim form
 Definition: Form used to request reimbursement of medical expenses.
 When it applies: After you have paid for private visits, tests or hospital stays.
 Useful documents: Claim form, itemised medical invoice (“fattura parlante”), medical reports.

EOB (Explanation of Benefits)
 Definition: Detailed statement showing how the insurance calculated the reimbursement (covered amount, deductible, coverage limit).
 When it applies: Checking reimbursements and remaining coverage.
 Useful documents: Policy wording, EOB received from the insurer.

In-network / Out-of-network
 Definition: Services provided inside or outside the insurance company’s contracted network.
 When it applies: Choosing the most convenient facility in terms of reimbursement and direct billing.
 Useful documents: Network list, cost estimate, policy conditions.

Practical note

 Some rules (exemptions, SSN eligibility, EU forms) may change over time or vary between regions. For specific cases, it is always advisable to check directly with your ASL, the Lazio Region, or your health insurance provider.