MMC Benefits Handbook
Travel and Lodging
As described below, the Plan will reimburse you for certain amounts paid for:
  • Transportation primarily for, and essential to, medical care and
  • Lodging while away from home if a principal reason for being there is to receive medical care.
Expenses for travel to and from your home and lodging will be reimbursed:
  • For cardiac covered services received at the Cleveland Clinic or another Blue Distinction provider (see "Cardiac Care") if the Cleveland Clinic or the Blue Distinction provider is 100 miles or more from the patient's home
  • For cardiac covered services received at another facility if no in-network provider is available within 100 miles of the patient's home
  • For musculoskeletal surgery (see "Musculoskeletal Surgery – Knee, Hip, Spine") received from an in-network Blue Distinction provider if the in-network Blue Distinction provider is 100 miles or more from the patient's home
  • For musculoskeletal surgery received from another facility if no in-network provider is available within 100 miles of the patient's home
  • For obesity surgery (see "Obesity Surgery") if the in-network Blue Distinction provider is 100 miles or more from the patient's home
  • For solid organ and bone marrow transplants received from an in-network Blue Distinction provider if the in-network Blue Distinction provider is 100 miles or more from the patient's home
  • For solid organ and bone marrow transplants received from another provider if no in-network provider is available within 100 miles of the patient's home
  • For all other covered services under the Plan (see "What's Covered") if no in-network provider is available within 100 miles of the patient's home.
What is the Plan's travel expense benefit?
The Plan will reimburse amounts paid for transportation primarily for, and essential to, medical care, as described above under "Travel and Lodging". These include:
  • Bus, taxi, train, or plane fares or ambulance service
  • Transportation expenses of a parent who must go with a covered child who needs medical care
  • Transportation expenses of a nurse or other person who can give injections, medications, or other treatment required by a patient who is traveling to get medical care and is unable to travel alone and
  • Transportation expenses for regular visits to see a mentally ill dependent, if these visits are recommended as a part of treatment.
When you use a car for medical reasons, the Plan will reimburse
  • Parking fees and tolls and
  • Car expenses determined either by
    • The amount of actual out-of-pocket car expenses, such as the cost of gas and oil
      or
    • The standard IRS medical mileage rate in effect when you travel if you don't want to use your actual expenses. Go to www.irs.gov and enter "standard mileage rate" in the "Search" box for more information.
Note: the Plan will not reimburse depreciation, insurance, general repair, or maintenance expenses.
What is the Plan's lodging expense benefit?
The Plan will reimburse the cost of lodging at a hospital or similar institution if a principal reason for being there is to receive medical care under the circumstances described above under "Travel and Lodging". The Plan will reimburse the cost of lodging not provided in a hospital or similar institution if all the following requirements are met:
  • The lodging is primarily for and essential to medical care.
  • The medical care is provided by a doctor in a licensed hospital or in a medical care facility related to, or the equivalent of, a licensed hospital.
  • The lodging isn't lavish or extravagant under the circumstances.
  • There is no significant element of personal pleasure, recreation, or vacation in the travel away from home.
The Plan does not reimburse the cost of meals.
Is there a limit on the travel and lodging expense benefit the Plan will reimburse?
The reimbursement for lodging expenses is limited to $50 per night per person, including lodging expenses of a parent who must go with a child who needs medical care or of a nurse or other person who can give injections, medications, or other treatment required by a patient who is traveling to get medical care and is unable to travel alone. The maximum reimbursement for lodging expenses is $150 per night.
The maximum reimbursement for all travel and lodging expenses combined is $10,000 per episode of care.
How can participants receive reimbursement from the Plan?
Contact the Claims Administrator for information.
Important Information About Your Personal Health Information
  • The Company does not collect, maintain, or report on any personal health information pertaining to you or any covered dependents.
  • As a participant in our health plan, your personal health information is protected by federal law.
  • Our medical Third Party Administrators (or carriers with respect to the insured programs) are required to protect your personal health information in accordance with federal law and data privacy agreements with the Company and/or plan fiduciaries.
  • Please note that states seeking to prohibit or limit certain services covered under Company-sponsored plans might attempt to challenge your right to privacy under federal law. If a state's legal challenge is successful, there may be legal consequences associated with you procuring a service covered under a Company-sponsored plan that is or may become prohibited or limited under state law. If you have any questions regarding potential risks, please seek professional legal advice.