Nearly 100,000 patients chose Lombardy for hospital care in 2023

Data from the Ministry of Health presented on October 26 shows that Lombardy recorded 99,898 hospitalizations of patients from other regions in acute care settings. This compares to 46,120 residents from Lombardy who were hospitalized outside their home region. The resulting surplus of 53,778 hospitalizations establishes Lombardy as a primary center for healthcare in Italy.

The financial impact of these services resulted in 1.12 billion euros in credits for Lombardy for care provided to non-resident patients. After accounting for 476 million euros in debts, the region maintained an active balance of 645.8 million euros. Private accredited facilities accounted for 71.1% of the healthcare attraction in Lombardy, which is higher than the national average of 54.5%.

Nationally, hospitalizations occurring outside a patient's home region totaled 691,640, with the rate increasing from 7.2% in 2004 to 8.6%. These figures were discussed during a meeting titled "A New Model of Socio-Sanitary Hospitality – Project 3,000," organized by CasAmica ODV and the Lombardy Region. Research from ALTEMS – Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore notes that family mobility creates additional burdens, as families must cover costs for travel, lodging, and lost wages that are not included in the national health service coverage.