1.A.3.a. Fee transparency

Rule

Prior to the initial acceptance of any funds, the operator must inform applicants of all fees and charges for which they will be, or could potentially be, responsible. This information needs to be in writing and signed by the applicant.

Levels

I	II	III	IV
✔	✔	✔	✔

This standard rule applies to all recovery residence levels of support.

Guidance

From a consumer rights perspective, new resident applicants and/or their financially responsible parties (e.g. parents) should be fully aware of all potential fees and charges before they pay or agree to pay anything. They must be able to make informed decisions. Many well meaning providers may have developed business practices that require individuals to submit initial payments prior to an orientation. Or, they have highlighted some fees (e.g. price per month), but failed to discuss “hidden fees” or expenses that residents may incur as a condition of their continued stay: penalties, late charges, insurance co-pays or outside vendor charges (UA lab confirmations or medical assessments). A frustrated House Manager cannot decide to start charging fines for not cleaning up the kitchen, if those potential fines were not disclosed in the orientation or resident agreement. A provider can renegotiate terms, but a process needs to be in place that protects the consumer’s rights. Likewise, a provider cannot require a resident as a condition of continued stay to pay for a psych eval or for outpatient treatment or an outside UA lab, if those potential costs were not disclosed up front.
Proof of negative UAs are often a condition of continued stay in a recovery residence. If a relationship has been developed with a treatment provider to bill a resident’s insurance for UA labs, the recovery residence must disclose during orientation the potential expenses (deductible, co-pays) for which residents or their parents are liable. While the provider may not be able to quote the actual amount, they can explain this may run into the thousands or tens of thousands of dollars. Minimizing the potential financial liability is unethical.
More and more, recovery residence providers are leveraging technology to streamline processes and meet consumer expectations. Providers may meet this expectation through electronic documents and signatures.

Evaluation

Does the recovery residence inform applicants of all fees and charges prior to accepting any funds?
- If yes,
  - Is the information provided in writing? AND
  - Does the applicant sign that they have been informed of the financial terms?
Does the disclosure include all fees and charges for which they will be, or could potentially be, responsible?

Evidence

Policy and procedure
Resident orientation checklist

Resources

https://narronline.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/NARR-Drug-Testing-Policy.pdf

Course Syllabus

Not Enrolled

Measure Up: A Guide to the NARR Standard and Code of Ethics

	1. 1. ADMINISTRATIVE AND OPERATIONAL
	2. 1.A. Operate with Integrity
	2.1. 1.A.1. Use mission and vision as guides for decision making
	2.1.1. 1.A.1.a. Mission
	2.1.2. 1.A.1.b. Vision
	2.2. 1.A.2. Adhere to legal and ethical codes and use best business practices
	2.2.1. 1.A.2.a. Business entity
	2.2.2. 1.A.2.b. Insurance
	2.2.3. 1.A.2.c. Property permission
	2.2.4. 1.A.2.d. Legal compliance
	2.2.5. 1.A.2.e. Ethical marketing
	2.2.6. 1.A.2.f. Background checks
	2.2.7. 1.A.2.g. Paying residents
	2.2.8. 1.A.2.h. Financial boundaries
	2.2.9. 1.A.2.i. Code of Ethics
	2.3. 1.A.3. Financial accounting
	2.3.1. 1.A.3.a. Fee transparency
	2.3.2. 1.A.3.b. Accounting system
	2.3.3. 1.A.3.c. Refund policies
	2.3.4. 1.A.3.d. 3rd party payments
	2.4. 1.A.4. Data collection
	2.4.1. 1.A.4.a. Resident information
	3. 1.B. Uphold Residents’ Rights
	3.1. 1.B.5. Rights and Requirements
	3.1.1. 1.B.5.a. Applicant orientation
	3.2. 1.B.6. Resident information
	3.2.1. 1.B.6.a. Secured records
	3.2.2. 1.B.6.b. Confidentiality
	3.2.3. 1.B.6.c. Social media policy
	4. 1.C. Culture of Empowerment
	4.1. 1.C.7. Peer governance
	4.1.1. 1.C.7.a. Resident driven
	4.1.2. 1.C.7.b. Grievance policy
	4.1.3. 1.C.7.c. Community posts
	4.1.4. 1.C.7.d. Length of stay
	4.1.5. 1.C.7.e. Resident voice
	4.2. 1.C.8. Resident involvement
	4.2.1. 1.C.8.a. Reciprocal responsibility
	4.2.2. 1.C.8.b. Leadership roles
	4.2.3. 1.C.8.c. Recovery process
	5. 1.D. Develop Staff Abilities
	5.1. 1.D.9. Role modeling
	5.1.1. 1.D.9.a. Self-care
	5.1.2. 1.D.9.b. Boundaries
	5.1.3. 1.D.9.c. Staff support
	5.1.4. 1.D.9.d. Positive regard
	5.2. 1.D.10. Staff qualifications
	5.2.1. 1.D.10.a. Social model skills
	5.2.2. 1.D.10.b. Credentials
	5.2.3. 1.D.10.c. Staff development
	5.3. 1.D.11. Culturally responsive
	5.3.1. 1.D.11.a. Priority population
	5.3.2. 1.D.11.b. Cultural training
	5.4. 1.D.12. Job descriptions
	5.4.1. 1.D.12.a. Roles and qualifications
	5.4.2. 1.D.12.b. Resource linkage
	5.4.3. 1.D.12.c. KSA
	5.5. 1.D.13. Staff supervision
	5.5.1. 1.D.13.a. Performance development
	5.5.2. 1.D.13.b. Acknowledgements
	5.5.3. 1.D.13.c. Work environment
	6. 2. PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
	7. 2.E. Home-like Environment
	7.1. 2.E.14. Individual needs
	7.1.1. 2.E.14.a. Clean and maintained
	7.1.2. 2.E.14.b. Home-like furnishings
	7.1.3. 2.E.14.c. Entrances and exits
	7.1.4. 2.E.14.d. 50+ sq. ft. per bed
	7.1.5. 2.E.14.e. Sink-toilet-shower
	7.1.6. 2.E.14.f. Personal storage
	7.1.7. 2.E.14.g. Food Storage
	7.1.8. 2.E.14.h. Laundry
	7.1.9. 2.E.14.i. Appliances
	7.2. 2.E.15. Community building
	7.2.1. 2.E.15.a. Meeting space
	7.2.2. 2.E.15.b. Group space
	7.2.3. 2.E.15.c. Dining area
	7.2.4. 2.E.15.d. Recreational area
	8. 2.F. Safe Healthy Environment
	8.1. 2.F.16. Sober living
	8.1.1. 2.F.16.a. Prohibited substances
	8.1.2. 2.F.16.b. Prohibited items
	8.1.3. 2.F.16.c. Drug screening
	8.1.4. 2.F.16.d. Medication storage
	8.1.5. 2.F.16.e. Peer accountability
	8.2. 2.F.17. Home safety
	8.2.1. 2.F.17.a. Functional and hazard free
	8.2.2. 2.F.17.b. Health & safety codes
	8.2.3. 2.F.17.c. Inspections & drills
	8.3. 2.F.18. Promote health
	8.3.1. 2.F.18.a. Smoking
	8.3.2. 2.F.18.b. Universal precautions
	8.4. 2.F.19. Emergency plan
	8.4.1. 2.F.19.a. Procedures & postings
	8.4.2. 2.F.19.b. Emergency contacts
	8.4.3. 2.F.19.c. Emergency orientation
	8.4.4. 2.F.19.d. Overdose readiness
	9. 3. RECOVERY SUPPORT
	10. 3.G. Facilitate Recovery
	10.1. 3.G.20. Promote purpose
	10.1.1. 3.G.20.a. Meaningful activities
	10.2. 3.G.21. Recovery planning
	10.2.1. 3.G.21.a. Person-centered plan
	10.2.2. 3.G.21.b. Recovery capital
	10.2.3. 3.G.21.c. Peer roles
	10.3. 3.G.22. Community supports
	10.3.1. 3.G.22.a. Resource directory
	10.3.2. 3.G.22.b. Resource linkage
	10.4. 3.G.23. Mutual support
	10.4.1. 3.G.23.a. Weekly schedule
	10.4.2. 3.G.23.b. Mutual aid
	10.5. 3.G.24. Recovery support services
	10.5.1. 3.G.24.a. RSS
	10.5.2. 3.G.24.b. RSS Staff
	10.6. 3.G.25. Clinical services
	10.6.1. 3.G.25.a. Clinical services
	11. 3.H. Model Prosocial Behaviors
	11.1. 3.H.26. Respectful environment
	11.1.1. 3.H.26.a. Model recovery
	11.1.2. 3.H.26.b. Trauma informed
	11.1.3. 3.H.26.c. Resident input
	12. 3.I. Sense of Community
	12.1. 3.I.27. Family-like
	12.1.1. 3.I.27.a. Food preparation
	12.1.2. 3.I.27.b. Housing choice
	12.1.3. 3.I.27.c. Chores
	12.1.4. 3.I.27.d. Household expenses
	12.1.5. 3.I.27.e. Household meetings
	12.1.6. 3.I.27.f. Common areas
	12.2. 3.I.28. Internal community
	12.2.1. 3.I.28.a. Informal activities
	12.2.2. 3.I.28.b. Formal activities
	12.2.3. 3.I.28.c. Social activities
	12.2.4. 3.I.28.d. Milestone rituals
	12.3. 3.I.29. External community
	12.3.1. 3.I.29.a. Recovery linkage
	12.3.2. 3.I.29.b. Recovery mentor
	12.3.3. 3.I.29.c. Mutual aid meetings
	12.3.4. 3.I.29.d. Resource linkage
	12.3.5. 3.I.29.e. Multi-membership
	12.3.6. 3.I.29.f. Social bonds
	13. 4. GOOD NEIGHBOR
	14. 4.J. Be a Good Neighbor
	14.1. 4.J.30. Responsive neighbor
	14.1.1. 4.J.30.a. Contact information
	14.1.2. 4.J.30.b. Complaint response
	14.1.3. 4.J.30.c. Neighbor interaction
	14.2. 4.J.31. Courtesy rules
	14.2.1. 4.J.31.a. Preemptive policies
	14.2.2. 4.J.31.b. Parking