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Medical professional wearing a surgical mask and blue gloves holds a test tube filled with red blood; over the image is a semi-transparent gray box containing the text “Local SSN Laboratories in Florence.”

Below is a step-by-step guide—specifically for residents in Florence (Firenze)—on how to book and receive routine blood tests through Italy’s public healthcare system (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale, SSN). At the end, a brief note explains the initial steps if you prefer to go private.

Verify Your SSN Registration and Assign a Medico di Base (GP)

  1. Ensure You’re Registered with the SSN
    • As a legal resident in Italy, you must be registered with the SSN and possess a valid Tessera Sanitaria (health card).
    • If you have just moved to Florence, go to your local Azienda USL Toscana Centro (ASL) district office (“distretto”) to register. You will need:
      • Proof of residence (residence certificate or declaration of residence)
      • Valid ID (passport or ID card)
      • Codice Fiscale (fiscal code)
    • Upon registration, you’ll be assigned a GP (Medico di Base) based on your address. If you wish to change your GP later, you can do so at any ASL office or via the region’s online portal.
  2. Confirm Your Medico di Base
    • Your GP is the only professional who can prescribe (issuing a “ricetta dematerializzata,” i.e. an electronic prescription) blood tests under the SSN.
    • You can verify who your assigned GP is by logging into the Fascicolo Sanitario Elettronico Toscana (“FSE Toscana”) or by contacting your local distretto.

Obtain a Prescription (Ricetta Elettronica) from Your GP

  1. Schedule an Appointment with Your GP
    • Contact your GP’s studio (either by phone or in person) to request a visit. Explain that you need routine blood work.
    • During the appointment, the GP will evaluate your clinical need and, if appropriate, issue an electronic prescription (ricetta dematerializzata) for one or more laboratory tests.
    • On that ricetta, you’ll find:
      • Your Codice Fiscale
      • The “Numero Ricetta Elettronica” (NRE)
      • A description of the tests (e.g., “Emocromo con formula leucocitaria,” “Lipid profile,” “Glicemia, ecc.”)
      • A clinical priority code (“B” = breve, “P” = programmata, etc.)
  2. Check Any Exemptions or Ticket Costs
    • If you qualify for an exemption (per reddito, età, o patologia cronica), the GP will mark your ricetta accordingly with an exemption code. Otherwise, you will be charged a ticket (typically between €10 – €20, depending on the test).
    • Even if you must pay a ticket, the cost is significantly lower than in private clinics.

Choose Your Booking Method

(CUP/Centro Unico di Prenotazione)

In Tuscany, all public lab-test appointments use the regional “ZeroCode” platform or telephone/desk‐based CUP. Below are the available channels:

  1. Online via ZeroCode (Recommended)
    • Visit zerocode.sanita.toscana.it – the regional portal for booking blood draws and lab tests uslcentro.toscana.it.
    • You will need:
      • Your electronic prescription’s NRE (numero ricetta elettronica)
      • Your Codice Fiscale
      • A valid mobile phone number (for SMS confirmations)
    • Steps on ZeroCode:
      1. Click “Prenota,” then select “Prelievi ed esami di laboratorio.”
      2. Enter Codice Fiscale, NRE, and your mobile number.
      3. The system will auto‐detect your ASL di appartenenza (Toscana Centro) and show available points of service (poli di prelievo) in Florence.
      4. Choose date, time, and location (e.g., Ospedale Santa Maria Nuova, Ospedale San Giovanni di Dio, Piazzale Montelungo, etc.).
      5. Confirm your booking; you will receive an SMS with a confirmation code.
  2. Via the “Toscana Salute” or “Open Toscana” Mobile App
    • If you already use the App Toscana Salute or Open Toscana, you can log in with SPID/CIE/CNS and, under “Prenotazioni,” select “Prelievi ed esami di laboratorio” to repeat the same steps as ZeroCode.
  3. Telephone Booking (CUP Telefono)
    • Call the CUP number for Azienda USL Toscana Centro:
      • Firenze Centro‐Storico: 055 545454 (check current numbers)
    • Provide your:
      • Full name and Codice Fiscale
      • NRE (numero della ricetta elettronica)
      • Desired test(s) as written on the ricetta
      • Priority code (B, P, etc.)
    • The operator will propose an appointment; if it’s not ideal, you can choose a different date/time among available slots.
  4. In-Person Booking at a CUP Sportello
    • Go to any CUP desk located in district presidia and hospitals in Florence (e.g., Ospedale Santa Maria Nuova, Ospedale San Giovanni di Dio, distretto sanitario di via San Salvi).
    • Bring: Codice Fiscale, Tessera Sanitaria, and the ricetta (you can show it from your smartphone or print it if you prefer). The operator will finalize your booking.

Attend the Lab Appointment

  1. What to Bring
    • Tessera Sanitaria / Tessera SSN
    • Codice Fiscale (printed on Tessera Sanitaria)
    • Electronic Ricetta details (you may show the SMS confirmation or the ricetta from your FSE app)
    • Stampa promemoria if you printed the ZeroCode confirmation (optional)
    • Any applicable payment for the ticket (if not exempt). Although ticket payments are usually made in advance (e.g., at a tabaccheria, poste, or via home banking), you can confirm at the CUP desk if needed.
  2. Where to Go in Florence
    Some of the main public points of blood draw (prelievo ematico) in the City of Florence under ASL Toscana Centro:
    • Ospedale Santa Maria Nuova (via di Torregalli, 3)
    • Ospedale San Giovanni di Dio (viale Pieraccini, 24)
    • Punto Prelievi Piazzale Montelungo (near Santa Maria Novella station)
    • Ambulatori di Medicina di Base or other distributed punti prelievo in district offices
    • For a full list, see the ASL Centro “Prelievi – modalità di prenotazione” page:
      List of Places for Blood Draw
  3. On the Day
    • Arrive at least 10 minutes before your scheduled time.
    • Check in at the ingresso prelievi/reception desk.
    • Present your Tessera Sanitaria and provide the confirmation code (if requested).
    • Follow the usual procedure: a nurse or technical staff will call your name, perform the blood draw, and give you any instructions (e.g., fasting requirements).
    • After the prelievo, you can leave—most tests turnaround within 24 – 48 hours (some specialized markers may take longer).
  4. Retrieving Results
    • Online: Log in to the FSE Toscana portal/app with SPID/CIE/CNS → “Esiti Referti” to view and download your results as soon as they are available.
    • By GP: Some GPs prefer to discuss results during a follow-up consultation; check directly with your GP.
    • In-Person: You may also request a paper copy of your referto at the same punto prelievi (only if the test requires it, e.g., non-autocalcificabile online).

Ticket Payment (If Applicable)

Where to Pay:

  • Tabaccheria (using the codice di pagamento stampato on the ricetta)
  • Poste Italiane (in‐person or online via PostePay)
  • Home Banking (select “Servizi Sanitari” → “Pagamento Ticket”)
  • Sportello ASL (some CUP desks still accept direct payment)

Amount: Typically set by regional regulations. Most routine blood tests incur a €10 – €20 ticket. Certain chronic conditions or low incomes may be exempt—your GP or ASL distretto can confirm your status.

Changing or Canceling an Appointment

(Optional)

Online via ZeroCode: Under “I tuoi appuntamenti,” you can reschedule or cancel up to 48 hours before. For Canceling

Telephone: Call the same CUP number used for booking.

In-Person: Return to the CUP sportello where you booked.

Private Laboratory Pathway

(Initial Steps)

If you decide to bypass the SSN route—perhaps because you need results more quickly or prefer a specific private lab—you can proceed as follows:

  1. Identify a Private Lab in Florence
    Common private diagnostics chains include:
    • Synlab (synlab.it) – multiple branches in Florence (e.g., via Maragliano)
    • Humanitas Laboratory (humanitas.it/it/laboratori-analisi) – branch in central Florence
    • Laboratorio Cral (laboratoriocral.it)
    • Local pharmacies with affiliated analysis points
    • You can also search “privato esami di laboratorio Firenze” to compare options (opening hours, test panels, price lists).
  2. Contact the Lab Directly
    • In most private settings, you do not need a prescription just to have basic blood tests done. However, if you require specialized markers (e.g., tumor markers, genetic tests), the lab may ask for a doctor’s referral.
    • To book: call the lab or check its website. Many private labs let you select tests online and choose a time slot.
    • Payment is at the time of service (cash, credit card, or bancomat). Private rates vary depending on the panel; expect €50 – €100 for a basic blood panel.
  3. Attend the Appointment
    • Bring a valid ID (passport or Carta d’Identità) and your Codice Fiscale.
    • Arrive 5–10 minutes early. Follow any fasting instructions (usually overnight fast for at least 8 hours).
    • Once the draw is completed, private labs often release results within 24 hours (some even in a few hours). Results can be accessed:
      • Online (private clients often receive a login)
      • Email (a PDF of the referto)
      • In-Person Pick-Up (you may pick up a paper copy after the estimated turnaround time).

Useful Links

(Florence / Tuscany)

Quick Checklist Before Your Public Appointment

  • SSN–registered; valid Tessera Sanitaria
  • Medico di Base visit booked; electronic prescription (NRE) obtained
  • Booking confirmed on ZeroCode (or via CUP telephone/desk); SMS/print confirmation in hand
  • Ticket paid (unless exempt)
  • Arrival at punti prelievo at scheduled time with ID and Tessera Sanitaria

Once you complete these steps, you’ll be all set to have your blood tests drawn and your results delivered—either digitally via FSE or through your GP. Should you need faster turnaround or additional special panels, the private route can be used from the outset by contacting a private diagnostics center directly.