Good Faith Estimates

If you do not have health insurance or choose not to use your insurance, you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate of the expected cost of your care. 

Under the No Surprises Act, a Good Faith Estimate provides information about the expected charges for health care items or services before you receive care. 

A Good Faith Estimate provides an estimate of the expected charges for the health care items or services you are scheduled to receive. The estimate is based on the information known at the time it is created and may not include unexpected items or services that could arise during treatment.

You may request a Good Faith Estimate before scheduling services. You are also entitled to receive one when services are scheduled at least three business days in advance.

• If your service is scheduled at least 3 business days in advance: You should receive your Good Faith Estimate no later than 1 business day after scheduling.

• If your service is scheduled at least 10 business days in advance: You should receive your Good Faith Estimate no later than 3 business days after scheduling.

• If you request a Good Faith Estimate without scheduling a service: You should receive it no later than 3 business days after your request. If you later schedule the service, a new Good Faith Estimate will be provided within the applicable timeframe.

If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you may be eligible to dispute the bill through the federal patient-provider dispute resolution process.

Before starting the formal dispute process, you may contact the health care provider or facility to discuss the difference between the bill and your Good Faith Estimate. You may ask whether the bill can be updated, negotiated, or whether financial assistance is available.

If you choose to use the federal dispute resolution process, you generally must start the process within 120 calendar days of the date on the original bill. There is a $25 administrative fee to begin the dispute process.

If the dispute resolution entity agrees with you, you will generally pay the amount determined through the dispute process. If it agrees with the provider or facility, you may be responsible for the higher amount.

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

To learn more about Good Faith Estimates or the patient-provider dispute resolution process, visit the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) No Surprises website or call 1-800-985-3059.