Medical prescription

The medical prescription is the document issued by the general practitioner or specialist that allows scheduling visits, tests, and collecting medications. To be valid, it must contain certain information and respect precise timeframes.

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🔹 How it should be issued

A correct prescription must include:

• patient's personal data (name, surname, tax code);

• exemption code, if applicable (E01, E02, illness, disability, etc.);

• type of service or medication requested;

• doctor's signature and identifying code.

The prescription can be paper-based (red/white prescription) or electronic (NRE with printed reminder or sent via email/SMS).

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🔹 When it expires

• Drugs: validity 30 days from the issue date.

• Specialist/diagnostic services: validity 6 months, unless otherwise indicated by the region.

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🔹 Service appointment times

Every specialist prescription must indicate the priority class specified by the doctor:

• U (urgent) → within 72 hours

• B (short) → within 10 days

• D (deferred) → within 30 days for visits, 60 days for tests

• P (scheduled) → within 180 days

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🔹 If the USL does not schedule the visit on time

In Italy, there is the mechanism of guarantee of maximum waiting times:

• If the CUP cannot schedule an appointment within the timeframe indicated by the priority, the USL must provide the service in an accredited private facility without additional costs for the citizen (only the ticket is paid, if applicable).

• It is important to ask the CUP for a written unavailability certificate.

👉 If the USL does not activate the process, you can submit a written complaint or PEC and, in case of no response, contact the Regional Civil Defender.
Many citizens, after the intervention of the Civil Defender, have obtained appointments in private facilities within a few days.

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🔹 Practical advice

Always keep:

• the prescription,

• the booking receipt with date and priority class,

• any communications from the CUP.

They are needed as proof if you need to assert your rights.

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📌 In summary: the medical prescription expires in 30 days for drugs and in 6 months for visits/tests. Maximum waiting times are set by law: if the USL does not respect them, it must provide the service through accredited private facilities. Otherwise, you can contact the Civil Defender.