Medical records, health complaints, refunds and sick leave in Italy
In Italy the patient, a delegate, a parent or guardian and an heir ask the facility’s medical management for a copy of the medical record (cartella clinica); it must hand over the documents it holds within seven days of the request and any additions within thirty days (Article 4(2) of Italian Law 24/2017). The request for a copy of the medical record names the stay, the documents and the format. For poor service, the complaint to the health authority’s public relations office asks for an inquiry and a written answer within the period set by that authority’s service charter. A complaint does not replace the step required before a medical negligence claim in court: a preliminary expert assessment or mediation (Article 8 of Law 24/2017).
The Italian national health service provides care in kind, so expenses paid out of pocket are claimed from a supplementary health fund or an insurer with the claim for medical expenses, within the deadlines and with the documents the fund’s rules or the policy set. The civil invalidity assessment can be downloaded free from INPS’s online services; to see the file behind it, use the request for access to the assessment file, which needs no revenue stamp except for certified copies. The medical finding is challenged in court with a preliminary technical assessment, on pain of losing the right, within six months of receiving the assessment (Article 42(3) of Decree-Law 269/2003 and Article 445-bis of the Italian Code of Civil Procedure).
On sick leave the doctor sends the certificate to INPS and the employer sees a statement without the diagnosis; the notice of sick leave to the employer gives the dates, the certificate’s protocol number and the address for the home visit, between 10 and 12 and between 17 and 19 every day. The documents are written in Italian, apply throughout Italy and are up to date on 13 October 2026. Those holding health data are sold blank, to complete by hand. They are not official documents, and many facilities publish their own free forms. DocMuse is a private paid service, and nobody at DocMuse reviews your situation.
The documents
4 forms available to fill out or download.
Access to the civil invalidity assessment file (Italy)
An Italian request, in Italian, for access to documents (articles 22 ff. of Italian law 241/1990) sent to INPS or the local health authority to see or copy the civil invalidity, handicap or disability assessment (verbale) and the medical file of the procedure: for the person concerned, a parent or guardian, a delegate or an heir. The verbale can also be downloaded free from INPS’s online services. No stamp duty is due to view the file or for plain copies; certified copies need a 16 € stamp unless an exemption applies. Send it by PEC or by hand. Sold blank and filled in by hand.
Complaint to the patient relations office of an Italian health authority (Italy)
An Italian written complaint, in Italian, to the public relations office (URP) of a local health authority (ASL), a hospital trust or an accredited facility, about a poor service or conduct in care: the patient or a relative gives the ward, the date and the facts and asks for checks and a written answer within the time set by the authority’s service charter. Many authorities have their own free complaint form. Send it by PEC, registered post with proof of receipt, or by hand. It holds health data, so it is sold blank and filled in by hand.
Request for a copy of the medical record (Italy)
An Italian letter, in Italian, to the medical director’s office of a hospital or clinic asking for a copy of the medical record (cartella clinica) and other health documents: the patient, a delegate, a parent or guardian, or an heir gives the stay or treatment, the documents wanted and the format. The facility must hand them over within seven days (art. 4 of Italian law 24/2017). Many facilities have their own form or a free online service. Send it by PEC, registered post with proof of receipt, or by hand. It holds health data, so it is sold blank and filled in by hand.
Claim for medical expenses to a supplementary health fund or insurer (Italy)
An Italian letter, in Italian, from a member of a supplementary health fund, a mutual fund or a health insurance policy, claiming back visits, tests, treatment or hospital stays already paid: it lists the invoices and prescriptions enclosed, gives the IBAN and asks to be told in writing of any missing documents. It is for funds that accept claims by post or PEC, or to chase a claim that has stalled; if the fund has its own members’ area or form, use those. It holds health data, so it is sold blank and filled in by hand.
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