According to the Istat 2024 Annual Report, approximately 10% of the population has given up on specialist healthcare services. The main reasons? Waiting lists that are too long and economic difficulties. An alarming figure that highlights the critical issues of a healthcare system under pressure.
Contents
- 1 Waiting List Decree: Government News
- 2 A single platform for more transparency and control
- 3 Healthcare bookings: transparency, reminders and sanctions
- 4 Prohibition of closing lists and obligation to find alternative solutions
- 5 Visits and exams: the four priority classes
- 6 Hospitalizations: maximum times and transparency for the citizen
- 7 Scheduled checks: it is up to the facility to manage the booking
- 8 What to do in case of blocked list or exceeded waiting times
- 9 Citizen Protection: How to Activate Your Rights
- 10 A useful tip: always contact the CUP
- 11 For further information: useful sites and contacts
Waiting List Decree: Government News
To address the emergency of waiting lists, the Government has passed a decree that introduces several structural measures:
- A national platform interoperable with regional systems;
- Continuous monitoring of waiting times;
- Adaptation of the booking system and centralization through a single regional CUP;
- Strengthening of health personnel;
- Facilities are also open on weekends;
- Absolute prohibition on closing or blocking waiting lists;
- Penalties for non-compliance.
A single platform for more transparency and control
The new national platform will guarantee total transparency: both the public and the accredited private sector will have to make the availability of visits and tests visible. The following will be monitored:
Waiting times by clinical priority (according to RAO),
Public and internal agendas,
Prescriptive correctness and territorial planning.
Healthcare bookings: transparency, reminders and sanctions
The booking system will be equipped with automatic reminders and the possibility of canceling even remotely. If the patient does not show up without a justified reason and without having cancelled in time, he/she may be required to pay for the service, even if exempt.
Prohibition of closing lists and obligation to find alternative solutions
Health companies **will not be able to suspend bookings**. In the event of failure to comply with the expected times, the management must guarantee the service through:
- Freelance intramural activity (intramoenia),
- Affiliated structures.
General managers are required to be vigilant and may be subject to disciplinary action in the event of non-compliance.
Visits and exams: the four priority classes
Each prescription must indicate one of the four classes of urgency:
U: Urgent, within 72 hours
B: Short, within 10 days
D: Deferrable, within 30 days for visits and 60 for tests
P: Scheduled, within 120 days
Hospitalizations: maximum times and transparency for the citizen
There are also four priority classes for hospitalizations:
A: within 30 days
B: within 60 days
C: within 180 days
Q: within 12 months
The patient has the right to access all information about his/her position on the waiting list, with computerized monitoring and clear communication.
Scheduled checks: it is up to the facility to manage the booking
Follow-up visits must be booked **directly by the healthcare facility** that is following the patient, to ensure continuity of care and compliance with clinical priorities.
What to do in case of blocked list or exceeded waiting times
If you are faced with a closed waiting list, you can:
1. Send a report to the ASL General Management and the Regional Department;
2. Contact the CUP to check other availabilities.
If the deadlines have been exceeded, you can request the following from the ASL:
The service in an alternative public or contracted facility,
Authorization for intramoenia without additional costs.
Citizen Protection: How to Activate Your Rights
If the ASL does not offer alternatives in case of excessive waiting, it is possible to:
Send a certified email to the health authority to request the activation of the “Percorso Tutela”, as required by art. 3, paragraph 13, of Legislative Decree no. 124/1998.
Beware of Surgery: What to Do If You Wait Too Long
Even for surgical interventions, it is important to assert your rights:
Send a request to the ASL or reference hospital,
Request the provision of the service within the maximum timeframes.
A useful tip: always contact the CUP
If you prefer only one structure and refuse alternatives, you will have to wait your turn. For this reason it is essential:
Contact the CUP to find the fastest solution,
Consult your doctor to understand if the times are compatible with your health conditions.
For further information: useful sites and contacts
The full text of the PNGLA and the list of monitored performances is available on the Ministry of Health website.
For regional information, we recommend consulting your Region's website or contacting the ASL URP.
Article published on May 26, 2025 - 14:30 pm
