Good Faith Estimate: No Surprise Act
You have a right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your health care will cost.
Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.
- You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any health care items or services upon request or when scheduling such items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
- If you schedule a health care item or service at least 3 business days in advance, make sure your health care provider or facility gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing within 1 business day after scheduling. If you schedule a health care item of service at least 10 business days in advance, make sure your health care provider or facility gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing within 3 business days after scheduling. You can also ask any health care provider or facility for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service. If you do, make sure the health care provider or facility gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing within 3 business days after you ask.
- If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more for any provider or facility than your Good Faith Estimate from that provider or facility, you can dispute the bill.
- Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate and the bill.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises/consumers, email FederalPPDRQuestions@cms.hhs.gov, or call 1-800-985-3059.
Disclaimer
This Good Faith Estimate shows the costs of items and services that are
reasonably expected for your health care needs for an item or service. The
estimate is based on information known at the time the estimate was created.
The Good Faith Estimate does not include any unknown or unexpected costs
that may arise during treatment. You could be charged more if complications or
special circumstances occur. If this happens, federal law allows you to dispute
(appeal) the bill.
If you are billed for more than this Good Faith Estimate, you have
the right to dispute the bill.
You may contact the health care provider or facility listed to let them know the
billed charges are higher than the Good Faith Estimate. You can ask them to
update the bill to match the Good Faith Estimate, ask to negotiate the bill, or ask
if there is financial assistance available.
You may also start a dispute resolution process with the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS). If you choose to use the dispute resolution
process, you must start the dispute process within 120 calendar days (about 4
months) of the date on the original bill.
There is a $25 fee to use the dispute process. If the agency reviewing your
dispute agrees with you, you will have to pay the price on this Good Faith
Estimate. If the agency disagrees with you and agrees with the health care
provider or facility, you will have to pay the higher amount.
To learn more and get a form to start the process, go to www.cms.gov/nosurprises/consumers or call 1-800-985-3059.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate
or the dispute process, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises/consumers or call
1-800-985-3059.
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost.
Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.
- You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
- Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.
- If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.
- Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 515-223-5466 to request a Good Faith Estimate.