It's a visit with a public-system medical specialist, like a cardiologist, dermatologist, or orthopaedist. You usually need your GP's impegnativa to book one through the CUP, with a small ticket payment unless you're exempt.
Specialist care in the public system is much cheaper than private. Waiting times can be long for non-urgent referrals, so priority codes from your GP matter.
"After back pain that wouldn't stop in Lodi, Mei Lin's GP wrote her an impegnativa for an orthopaedic visit. She booked through the CUP and paid only the ticket on the day."
Private specialists are faster but more expensive. For long-running conditions, building a relationship with a public specialist usually pays off.
Official source
Ministero della Salute
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