MEDICAL EXPENSES: Out of Pocket and Out of Network Fees

By A.I. and Staff Reporters

SPONSOR: http://www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.org

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OUT OF POCKET [OOP] EXPENSES

Classic: The portion of medical expenses a patient is responsible for paying.

Modern: Refers to the maximum you will pay during your policy period, which is typically a year, before your plan starts to pay 100% of your allowed amount. The costs of your deductible, co-pay, and co-insurance are included here, but not your premium.

CO-PAYS: https://medicalexecutivepost.com/2025/05/17/cleveland-clinic-controversial-new-health-insurance-co-payment-policy/

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OUT OF NETWORK [OON] EXPENSES

Classic: “Out-of-network” health care providers do not have an agreement with your insurance company to provide care. While insurance companies may have some out-of-network benefits, medical care from an out-of-network provider will usually cost more out-of-pocket than an in-network provider. 

Modern: The amount that a health care insurance plan will contribute toward out-of-network services will vary by your insurance company and is often based on a “reasonable and customary” amount that the service should cost

Example: If you go to an out-of-network dentist and are billed $300 for the service, your insurance company may contribute $200 toward paying this cost because $200 is the amount it has decided is “reasonable and customary” for this service. When out-of-network, any remaining cost above this amount ($100 in this case) may have to be fully covered by the person receiving care. When out-of-network, the usual coinsurance rates that apply in-network may not apply out-of-network. Additionally, out-of-network service costs may not count toward an annual deductible.

CHARGE-MASTER: https://medicalexecutivepost.com/2024/11/20/charge-master-medical-bills-paradox/

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