Dialysis, what are the transport facilities to the Corriere.it treatment centers

Going back and forth to the hospital three times a week, often for a lifetime. the ordeal to which people on dialysis are subjected. On alternate mornings, or an afternoon if not, even for more than thirty years or until they get a kidney transplant, they must move from their home to the dialysis center to perform the blood wash. To relieve patients and caregivers from the burden of travel, local health companies as part of the activities envisaged by the Lea (the essential levels of assistance guaranteed by the National Health Service) recognize a reimbursement of expenses incurred for fuel (and any motorway tolls) to those who use a private car and the full cost of the ticket to those who travel by public transport. If, on the other hand, the patient is in conditions of non self-sufficiency, has the right to use a protected transport on ambulance at the expense of the health company.

Who decides the doctor of the dialysis center

To establish the most suitable means of transport for the nephropathic patient (ambulance or car with or without a companion) directly to the doctor in charge of the dialysis center. There is also the possibility to board collective minibuses organized by the company, always free of charge. But this house-to-house escort service unfortunately it is not so frequent and where it would be most useful, in the remote territories of Molise and of Calabria for example, totally missing, despite repeated requests from patient associations.

Rates

The refund rate, defined by the Regions, normally equal to one fifth of the cost of a liter of petrol per kilometer traveled from the home of the person concerned to the dialysis center, and vice versa, up to a maximum of four trips per session if there is an accompanying person. While in Lombardy the rate is already set at 0.32 cents per kilometer. also expected a contribution if the patient uses the taxi, because he is unable to drive the car or because he cannot count on the passage of a relative. If you go on vacation, the mileage reimbursement can still be obtained and is calculated on the journey between the accommodation and the nearest dialysis center. Watch out for: no refunds if you decide to be treated in accredited private centers or in other public or private centers that fall within the scope of another nearby local health authority when assistance can be ensured by the home health company.

The question

To obtain a refund, the interested party must fill in a specific form indicating, in addition to personal data, the total number of sessions and your iban code. The document must then be delivered to the reference health district. Transport by ambulanceinstead, it is authorized and prescribed by the treating nephrologist on prescription, which he will send to the district reimbursement office. From 2019 self-sufficient dialysis patients at Asst Niguarda, can use the taxi service of the Municipality of Milan to reach the health facility. Without paying a euro, thanks to an agreement between the city administration, Ats and Areu (the regional agency for emergency-urgency), but within a limit of five kilometers away from the hospital. The user will not even have to worry about booking the ride: days and times are communicated directly from Areu to the taxi center.

Cancer patients are much more penalized

Medical transport for cancer patients who have to do cycles of chemotherapy or radiotherapy are not among the essential services covered by the National Health Service. Therefore the cancer patient who is not self-employed will have to rely on voluntary associations. They are an exception Tuscany, Liguria and the Provinces of Trento and Bolzano which offer a free transport service by ambulance or vehicle equipped with a platform upon medical request. In Marcheon the other hand, a kilometer reimbursement is envisaged to support travel to the only treatment centers outside the region or within the regional territory where the patient can find specific assistance. Abruzzo and Valle d’Aostafinally, only those who have to change region to receive treatments that cannot be carried out in their own territory cover the expenses.

May 23, 2021 (change May 23, 2021 | 19:46)

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