Under the No Surprises Act (H.R. 133 - effective January 1, 2022), health care providers need to give patients who do not have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.

• 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. 

• You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services.

• 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 receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can 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 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 the 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. 

Your health care provider should give you a Good Faith Estimate within the following timeframes:

• If the service is scheduled at least three business days before the appointment date, no later than one business day after the date of scheduling;

• If the service is scheduled at least 10 business days before the appointment date, no later than three business days after the date of scheduling; or

• If the uninsured or self-pay patient requests a good faith estimate (without scheduling the service), no later than three business days after the date of the request. A new good faith estimate must be provided, within the specified timeframes if the patient reschedules the requested item or service.

Note: A Good Faith Estimate is for your awareness only. It is not a contract for services.

To learn more about Good Faith Estimates, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises