No Surprises Act

Beginning January 1, 2022, if you’re uninsured or don’t plan to submit your claim to your health plan, health care providers and facilities must provide you with a “good faith estimate” of expected charges before you get an item or service. The good faith estimate isn’t a bill.

Providers and facilities must give you a good faith estimate if you ask for one, or when you schedule an item or service. It should include expected charges for the primary item or service you’re getting, and any other items or services provided as part of the same scheduled experience.

In 2022, the estimate isn’t required to include items and services provided to you by another provider or facility, but you can ask these providers or facilities for a separate estimate. In 2023, the provider or facility will be required to provide co-provider or co-facility cost information.

What to expect from a good faith estimate

Providers and facilities must give you:

Your good faith estimate before an item or service is provided, within certain timeframes.

An itemized list with specific details and expected charges for items and services related to your care.

Your good faith estimate in writing (paper or electronic).

Once you get your good faith estimate from your provider or facility, keep it in a safe place so you can compare it to bills you get later.

If you get the bill and the charges are at least $400 above the good faith estimate, you may be eligible to start a patient-provider dispute.