The Assessment of Disability in Italy: The Laborious Procedure and Sharing of Objectives

Abstract

The assessment of disability in Italy requires the support of a system entirely dedicated to forensic evaluative medicine, which, for years, has been associated with the National Social Security Institute (INPS). Its medical offices are daily engaged in evaluating applications submitted by citizens. Their examination takes place in two different ways in the various Italian regions: assessments carried out by the Local Health Authority (ASL) and controlled by the INPS; evaluations carried out entirely by the INPS only. The main problem observed, and not yet resolved, is the excess time taken to respond to a citizen’s request, especially in areas where the procedure retains the biphasic ASL–INPS modality. This phenomenon is exemplified by the presentation of cases of the INPS medical office of Iglesias (South Sardinia, Italy), which include a series of disability applications examined in the year 2021 from January to September. The most favourable feedback is a tested and shared path in the determination of judgments.