What is the No Surprises Act and what is a '“good faith estimate”?

As of January 1, 2022, healthcare providers are required to give patients who don’t have certain types of healthcare coverage or are not using certain types of healthcare coverage an estimate of their bill for healthcare items and services before those items or services are provided. This estimate is called a “Good Faith Estimate” and is part of the No Surprises Act.

• You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any healthcare items or services upon request or when scheduling such items or services. This includes costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees. 

• If you schedule a healthcare item or service at least three business days in advance, ensure your healthcare provider or facility gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing within one business day after scheduling. If you schedule a healthcare item or service at least ten business days in advance, ensure your healthcare provider or facility gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing within three business days after scheduling. You can also ask any healthcare provider or facility for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service. If you do, ensure the health care provider or facility gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing within three 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. 

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises/consumers, or email FederalPPDRQuestions@cms.hhs.gov, or call 1-800-985-3059.