Explaining your health care costs
Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of their bill for medical items or services to be provided.
- You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency health care items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
- If you schedule a service at least 3 business days in advance, make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing within 1 business day after scheduling. If you schedule a service at least 10 business days in advance, make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing within 3 business days after scheduling.
- You can also ask for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service. If you do, make sure the health care provider 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 than your Good Faith Estimate, 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 https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises/consumers, email FederalPPDRQuestions@cms.hhs.gov, or call 1-800-985-3059.
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