Student Handbook - Health Services
The Rome Center offers on-campus consultation with an English-speaking Italian physician during two regularly scheduled hours each week during the fall and spring semester. The physician may examine students, write prescriptions, and/or recommend follow-up attention at private or state facilities in the area. He also may adminster injections or, for a very modest fee, a registered nurse can come to the Rome Center at other times to do so. All student rooms are equipped with refrigerators in which medicines that need to be kept cold can be stored. If special security is required, there is also a refrigerator in the doctor's office at the Rome Center. The Rome Center also offers professional psychological support for its students by providing weekly visits to campus by an English-speaking Italian psychiatrist.
The infirmary does not provide medication. Medication can be
obtained easily at a local pharmacy. Students with chronic medical
problems for which they routinely take an antibiotic should at least
know the name of the antibiotic when they arrive in Rome. The physician
can generally call in the prescription as long as the student knows the name of the antibiotic. Students
who take regular prescriptions should talk with their doctor before
traveling to Rome and if possible, take enough medication to last the
whole time while abroad. In
cases requiring hospitalization, students are usually sent to the
Gemelli Hospital.
Italian hospitals require a deposit upon admission and full payment of all bills upon the patient's release. The same holds true for any out-patient diagnostic tests and for physicians' services. In a public (state-run) hospital, many costs are covered by the Italian hospitalization insurance students are required to purchase when they arrive, the I.N.A. Assitalia . Should a student be hospitalized or require out-patient medical care, he or she should be prepared to pay by credit card. All payments must be made when services are rendered. Students are advised to obtain receipts in order to be reimbursed by U.S. insurance companies. Companies usually require itemized receipts. Receipts should be sent back immediately to parents to expedite the insurance reimbursement. Most out-patient and hospitalization fees can be paid immediately by any major credit card such as American Express or Visa.
InsuranceLoyola University Chicago and the Italian government require students to have international medical insurance.
- INA Assitalia. This mandatory Italian State hospitalization insurance must be "purchased" in Rome within eight (8) days of arrival. In fact, the charge for this insurance is billed as part of the "Fees" on a student's statement. Once students arrive in Rome, Rome Center administration will facilitate the purchase of this insurance on their behalf. In the USA prior to departure, as part of the application process for the study visa, students may be asked to promise to purchase the Assitalia upon their arrival in Italy. Please bear in mind that Assitalia covers only hospitalization charges (not physicians' fees nor medication) and is valid for a period of six (6) months only for a public or state hospital within Italy.
- In addition, students must have international medical insurance to supplement the Assitalia
and also to cover hospitalization and other expenses while traveling in
countries outside of Italy. This can be through the parent's
family-plan insurance, the student's health insurance coverage offered
by his or her home school, or a short-term insurance offered by a
provider that specializes in coverage for students of US institutions
while studying abroad. There are minimal standards established by
professional study abroad associations which the plan must meet:
- provision for pre-existing conditions;
- coverage for mental & nervous disorders (at least $5,000);
- overall medical benefits (at least $50,000 but $100,000 is recommended);
- emergency evacuation & repatriation (at least $7,500);
- and repatriation of remains (at least $10,000).
It is advised that students and their parents inform themselves thoroughly about the extent of their benefits and the conditions for collecting them from their insurance companies. Students' international medical insurance coverage must meet or exceed the minimal standards cited.
The Loyola University Chicago Health Care Plan for Students is provided through UniCare / HTH WorldWide. It does provide for basic international coverage (and exceeds the above minimal standards) so it is not necessary for Loyola Chicago students on this plan who are attending the Rome Center to purchase additional international coverage. Loyola Chicago students may opt to do so, however, through HTH WorldWide if they do not wish to pay charges out-of-pocket initially and later be reimbursed for expenses.
The Loyola University Chicago plan is available only to degree-seeking undergraduates enrolled at Loyola University Chicago; visiting students should check with their home institution about their coverage for study abroad. If supplemental insurance is needed, it must be purchased. Students must be able to prove current coverage by providing the Rome Center with a photocopy of the front and back of their insurance card. Students who are not covered by international medical insurance during their stay in Rome will not be allowed to continue their studies at the Rome Center.
Medical History Report
Students
must complete the Medical History Report included in the document
packet. Effective study, especially in a foreign environment, requires
good health, both physical and mental. In some cases, mild disorders
can become serious under the stresses of life abroad. Therefore, Loyola
University Chicago reserves the right to cancel a student's acceptance
if, after receiving the Medical History Report, there is cause to
believe that the candidate is unsuitable for study abroad.
All Medical History Reports must be received by the Chicago Rome Center Office by the date specified on the document checklist. Failure to submit a completed and signed Medical History Report or failure to give accurate health data on the Medical History Report is grounds for rejection from the program or dismissal if disclosure occurs after classes have begun.
Dental ServiceThe university maintains a list of reputable, English-speaking dentists. The same procedures apply regarding bills and insurance claims for dental services as those for health services mentioned above.
