Emergency Room Rebates

 Effective January 1, 2009, emergency room co-pays increased from $25 to $50.  This increase applies to all City medical benefit plans.  Although a $35 emergency room fee was negotiated with some unions, that fee was not used when the City of Baltimore programmed its medical benefit plans into the BOSS system.  

 Consequently, in order to honor its agreement, the City will offer active employees enrolled in a City sponsored medical plan a $15 rebate for services incurred between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009 only.  The City will pay $15 of the $50 dollar emergency room co-pay and the employee will be responsible for the remaining cost of $35.  Effective January 1, 2010, the City will not offer any rebates.  However, emergency room co-pays will be waived if the employee/covered family member is admitted.

 In order to be reimbursed, a member must submit the following to their agency’s Human Resources (HR) Officer (Ms. Bobbie Ryer):

 (1)  proof that they are enrolled in a City sponsored medical plan. Acceptable documentation includes a copy of the employee’s 2009 Benefits Confirmation Statement, 2009 Benefits Summary or medical card listing covered dependents, and 

 (2) proof, such as an itemized receipt or an Explanation of Benefits, of emergency room co-pays for themselves and covered family members.

 Employees may obtain a copy of their 2009 Benefits Summary by logging on to the benefits website at www.baltimorecity.essbenefits.com.  Employees who do not have computer access can receive assistance from the agency HR office.