COE Financial Obligations
Deductibles
A deductible is a specific dollar amount your health insurance plan may require you to pay out of pocket toward covered health care each year before your health plan begins to pay for covered medical expenses. Annual deductibles can vary significantly from one health insurance plan to another. Deductibles must be paid up front.
Co-Insurance Coverage
Co-insurance is a fixed amount for a covered service, paid by a patient to the provider of service before receiving the service. It may be defined in an insurance policy and paid by an insured person each time a medical service is accessed. Co-insurance is a percentage payment after the deductible up to a certain limit and must be paid before any policy benefit is payable by an insurance company.
Co-Payments
Co-payments are in addition to deductibles. Some policies may include co-pays for certain days of services provided or admission to certain levels of care. These should be outlined in a plan’s benefits summary or can be provided by verifying benefits with the Center of Excellence.
Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Many health insurance plans require you to pay out-of-pocket expenses before accessing your health care benefits. Each client’s individual out-of-pocket costs varies depending on a number of factors, including:
- Plan benefits
- Length of stay
- Treatment services
- Medications and lab services
- Boarding fees – $20 per day at outpatient level of care only
Out-of-Pocket Maximum
This is the amount for all annual health care costs. Center of Excellence intake coordinators will review these fees and your financial obligation with you. Deductibles are due upon admittance. Co-pays and the out-of-pocket balance will be billed and paid after treatment once services are complete.
Transportation
Clients are responsible for transportation costs to and from the Center of Excellence. Members can travel by plane, train, bus or car drop-off. If traveling by plane, members can fly into any of three local airports: Baltimore-Washington International (BWI), Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) or Dulles International Airport (IAD).
Admissions staff will collect travel information and a Center of Excellence staff member will be at the airport or train station to transport the member to the Center.
Clients should book a one-way ticket as length of stay varies depending on individual treatment plans.
Payment Plans
The Center of Excellence has options available to help members meet financial obligations, including setting up a payment plan.
The IAFF Foundation administers a Boarding Fees Scholarship program for all members admitted for treatment at the Center of Excellence who enter the partial hospital program and intensive out-patient program levels of care and who request to participate in the scholarship program.
Members will be informed by COE staff of their right to participate in the scholarship program. The Center of Excellence provides the participating member’s medical record number to the IAFF Foundation for payment purposes only. Neither the member’s name or other identifying information is provided to the IAFF or IAFF Foundation.
Members who choose not to participate in the scholarship program are required to sign a financial obligation form that states they are responsible for the boarding fees.