Provision of Medical Aids ASL: Guidance for the process.
Have you ever wondered how you can get the support you need to improve your independence and quality of life? There is a simple and clear pathway for people with disabilities and impairments to obtain Medical Aids from ASL. These tools can make a big difference in daily life, offering greater independence. In this guide you will find out the steps to apply for them and how to manage the waiting time.
Who is entitled to receive Prosthetic Care?
The Ministerial Decree No. 332 of 27 August 1999 regulates prosthetic care provided by the National Health Service (SSN). To find out if you are entitled to such assistance, visit the Regional Health System website under Prosthetic Assistance, under the heading "who is entitled to it".
How to obtain ASL Medical Aids for Mobility
The complete list of mobility aids with a list of specialists qualified to prescribe them can be found on the Regional Health System website, under the section Prosthetic Assistanceunder the heading "Mobility Aids".
Here are the steps to follow:
1. Prescription: Identifying the Need for Medical Aids ASL
The first step to receiving a help is to identify the specific need. Aids may include wheelchairs, walkers, orthopaedic beds, lifts, and devices to facilitate mobility. However, it is important to be aware that devices are not cumulative each other.
Step 1: Visit to the Medical Specialist
To obtain a Mobility Aid it is necessary to ask one's general practitioner for an examination by a National Health Service doctor, employed or contracted, specialised in the branch relevant to the disability for which the aid is needed.
The latter, once the disability or motor difficulty has been established, will issue a medical certificate stating the need for a medical aid and its prescription. The prescription of prosthetic devices must state the definition and the ISO code corresponding to the type of device. The ISO code consists of nine numbers interspersed with dots (e.g. 06.03.09.113) and a description of the main functional and usage characteristics.
If the patient is admitted to a public or private healthcare facility accredited with the SSR, the prescription must be written by the doctor in charge of the operating unit where the patient is admitted.
2. Completion and Submission of Application to ASL for Medical Aids
Step 2: Get the Sales Quote
The sales quotation for aids is a document issued by a Sanitaria (a company that supplies medical devices) listing the aids needed and their estimated cost. This estimate is important because it will be submitted to the ASL Prosthetics Office together with the medical prescription and other required documents.
Step 3: Documents Required to Obtain Medical Aids ASL
After obtaining the prescription from the specialist doctor, and the sales estimate from the healthcare provider, you will have to submit an official application to your local ASL. This application can be filled out online or at your local ASL office.
Please note: some Health Authorities take it upon themselves to do the paperwork for you! Remember to ask if this service is available in the one you choose.
To complete the application, you will need:
- Medical certificate and prescription issued by the specialist.
- The ISO code corresponding to the device type;
- Identity card and tax code of the person requesting the aid. If the request is made on behalf of a third party, the patient's signed power of attorney must also be brought along.
- Disability report (if already recognised).
- ASL application form, which can be downloaded from your ASL's website or picked up at its offices.
3. Authorisation: Evaluation of the Request
Once the application has been submitted, your local health authority will organise an assessment with a doctor from the health facility to authorise the application.
4. Supply: Acquisition of the Aid Medical ASL
When the request is approved, the ASL will provide the aid directly. In the event that the desired device is not within the Nomenclatore in force in the Lazio region, the Azienda Sanitaria Locale may issue an exceptional waiver authorising a payment amount.
The exceptionally authorised payment amount is a financial contribution that the ASL may grant for the purchase of a device which is not included in the nomenclatore tariffario (the official list of aids recognised and reimbursable by the NHS). If a specific aid is not included in the current nomenclator, but is nevertheless deemed necessary for the patient, the ASL may authorise a reimbursement covering the cost of the most similar aid in the nomenclator.
In practice, this amount represents a partial contribution: it covers the cost of the comparable aid, but if the chosen device has a higher price, the difference will have to be borne by the patient, with no possibility of recovering the additional amount at the end of use.
To recapitulate:
- If the ASL provides the aid directly, you will be contacted for collection.
- If the supply is not direct, the supply may take place via the health care institution that authorised the sales quotation.
- If you have an authorisation for self-procurement, check the suppliers contracted with the ASL.
- Keep all receipts and documentation related to the purchase in order to be able to claim any refunds.
6. The Testing of ASL Medical Aids
After delivery of the device, it must be tested, within 20 days from the date of delivery, at the prescribing specialist's premises, to check that it functions properly and that the delivery is as prescribed.
Useful Tips
- Timing: Start the process early, as the approval process requires long waiting periods.
- Assistance: If you have difficulty completing the documentation, you can request assistance from the ASL support centres or contact CAF or patronati.
Remember
The aids provided are in commodate usedevices that the ASL provides temporarily to the patient, who becomes the user but not the owner. In this case, the ASL grants the aid free of charge or against a minimal contribution, stipulating that, at the end of the period of use or when the device is no longer needed, it must be returned.
7. The Renewal of ASL Medical Aids
Renewal of the provision of aids by the ASL is possible when the current aid no longer meets the needs of the patient due to changes in physical condition or when the aid is damaged or worn. The prescribing doctor will assess whether the current device is still functional and appropriate or whether a replacement is needed to ensure the person's autonomy.
For more details, see the official website Salute Lazio - Assistenza Protesica.
ASL Lazio Official Addresses and Useful Official Sites
- Email: [email protected]
- Email: [email protected]
- Lazio Region - Health: Health Lazio to the 'Supplementary Prosthetic Assistance' section for information on necessary documentation and timeframes
- Ministry of Health: Ministry of Health - Prosthetic Care to stay up-to-date on national prosthetic care regulations.
- National Health System : National Health Services Portal
8. Hiring Aids during Waiting Times
One of the most common obstacles when requesting medical aids from the ASL is the waiting time. The bureaucratic process, from the submission of the application to the delivery of the aid, can vary depending on the aid requested, lasting several months especially for the more complex ones. On average, the waiting time is around one month for the application and three to six months for delivery.
Solution: Rental of Medical Aids
During this period, to prevent the person concerned from being left without the necessary support, it is possible to rent the aid temporarily at favourable prices. Renting aids from suppliers such as Mia Medical is a strategic option that offers numerous advantages: with us, waiting times are zero!
- Flexibility: You have immediate access to the medical aids you need, avoiding inconvenience due to waiting times at the ASL, and bureaucracy.
- Savings: Renting can be a cheaper alternative to buying, especially for medical aids used for limited periods of time.
- Quality: the devices rented from us are tested and guaranteed, and of the latest generation, giving you the same reliability and safety as the aids you buy.
Reimbursement of Rental Expenses
Expenses incurred for the rental of aids can be considered medical expenses and, therefore, be reimbursed by private insurance companies. It is important to check with your insurance company about the specific conditions of coverage, but in most cases, by presenting the rental invoice and a medical certificate proving the need for the aid, you will be able to obtain partial or full reimbursement.
Tax Deduction of Rental Expenses
In addition to reimbursement by private insurance companies, rental expenses can be included in your tax return as deductible medical expenses. Again, keeping receipts and medical documentation will allow you to benefit from the 19% tax deduction on these expenses.
Conclusion: rent your medical aids from US!
Rely on us for hire aids is not just a temporary solution, but an investment in the quality of your life. We offer you immediate support, medical aids high-quality, flexible and convenient service. Renting from us means reduced waiting times and maximum comfort and safety. We hope that this guided tour of medical aids has been of help to you.
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