For the purposes of personal financial planning, and for submitting insurance claim requests, the following is an estimated cost of your visit and utilization of the services provided relating to ITL.
Costs can vary from individual to individual, depending on your diagnosis, stage of disease, and doctor recommendations. In addition to treatment costs there will be accommodation and living expenses. Typical housing costs range from 500 to 1000 USD per week.
SERVICES INCLUDED IN FEES FOR IAT, HEAT SHOCK PROTEIN AND DENDRITIC CELL VACCINE:
1. Physician examination and evaluation of patient and their medical records.
2. Initial laboratory screening & assessment.
3. Laboratory evaluation for immuno-competency.
4. Regular physician review & evaluation of immuno-competency testing.
5. Prescriptions for therapies.
6. Nurses services for direct patient care and education.
7. Physician consultations and evaluation of patient progress.
8. Any emergency medical services provided by the ITL staff.
9. Laboratory testing performed by the clinic, but not including any specialized testing requested by the patient or the medical staff.
FEES FOR IMMUNO AUGMENTIVE THERAPY (IAT)
Four weeks of initial and intensive therapy: - $7,500
Each week thereafter - $700
Supplies for Home Maintenance/per week - $50
FEES FOR HEAT SHOCK PROTEIN VACCINE
One week of initial therapy at the clinic; and, 11 weeks of self injections at home - $8,750
FEES FOR DENDRITIC CELL VACCINE
Ten days at clinic for first two injections;
Two return visits at one month and two months following initial visit - $14,500
Fees do not include the following:
1. Special laboratory, x-ray, ultrasound, CT Scanning, MRI, or similar testing performed outside of the clinic.
2. Any physician or hospital services contracted by a patient or their family member outside of the ITL Clinic.
3. Special prescriptions, medications, nutrients, etc, not normally used during the routine administration of therapy; If nutrient therapy is recommended, this will be an additional charge to the patient.
4. Medical aids or appliances not prescribed or supplied by the ITL Clinic.
5. Transportation, lodging, diet, nutrients, or other amenities of convenience to the patient or their family.
6. Metabolic Therapy using oral or intravenous (IV) nutrients.
Please Note: The clinic operates on a fee for service basis. All accounts must be settled at the time of service. Because all treatment programs are individualized and cannot be used by other, fees are non-refundable. The clinic will supply you with coded medical bills that can be submitted to your insurance company. The clinic does not file insurance for you.
FEES FOR METABOLIC THERAPIES:
Included under this type of therapy is any vitamin, mineral, animal or plant extracts and other nutrients. Metabolic therapies can be either orally or intravenously administered.
Intravenous Metabolic Therapy --- Each intravenous infusion will be charged at $150.00 per treatment; in rare situations, an additional charge will be added at the direction of the physician, only after first being approved by the patient.
Not all ITL patients will require this form of therapy. Your physician will advise those patients who require intravenous infusions in advance.
Patients will be instructed as to their specific oral metabolic therapeutic program. Since this program will vary, its cost will be discussed during your first few days at the Center.
INSURANCE CLAIMS:
The Clinic's Insurance Administrator is willing to provide patients with specific information related to your insurance claims. By observing the following guidelines, patients can best prepare themselves for a well-documented claim:
1. You (not the clinic) are responsible for successful submission of your claim. The clinic will fill out your form, but each company's filing requirements are different. When you leave the Clinic, please ask for and fill out the "insurance follow-up form." This will let the Clinic know the status of your claim when you receive an answer from your company.
2. Read your insurance contract. If your policy does not specifically exclude 'out of country' therapy, make note of this for future use. In fact, some contracts cover your living expenses while taking treatment abroad. Remember, we will not fight your battle with the insurance company, but we will assist you and in most cases if you pursue your claim you will prevail before any court of law.
3. Make sure your claim 'package' is complete before you submit it to your insurance company. We suggest that you request that our Insurance Administrator furnish you with the following:
A. Personal letter from the clinic's staff physician, attesting to the fact that you are under his care for your specific diagnosis.
B. Complete, itemized statement of charges signed by the clinic's physician.
C. Printed statement from the clinic which describes IAT clinically and summarizes the credentials of the attending medical staff.
D. Clinic brochures (optional).
E. (Optional) If your doctor back home will write a brief letter simply stating the facts of your progress, this could be useful. He/she does not have to comment on IAT, simple state the 'before' and 'after' results of your x-rays, scans, whatever. (This is useful but not necessary to successful submission). Keep a copy of anything you send to the
insurance company. Keep your receipts because you may be able to use them towards your I.R.S. medical claims at the end of the year.
Federal Disability (Social Security)
You may be eligible for Federal Disability benefits. In order to apply to your local Social Security Board for S.S. disability you will need:
1) Your W-2 form the prior year
2) Your Social Security Number
3) A letter from your employer attesting to the fact that you are out of work due to illness.
State Disability
You may also be eligible for State Disability. Since rules vary from state to state, ask your employer to write to your State Disability Office, or do so yourself. Although the number of weeks you receive payment is limited, payment usually starts immediately when you are disabled and unable to work. The staff physician will fill out the appropriate card when you send it to him after requesting it from your State Disability Office.
The I.R.S.
Many of the medically related expenses that you encounter may be deducted on your tax return. These may include transportation, food, rental of wheelchairs or other medical appliances, prescriptions, etc. Keep all of your receipts and check with your accountant.
