Good Faith Estimate

If you don’t have insurance or choose not to use your insurance.  

 

Under the law, health care providers must give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for the health care items and services they are about to receive. 

 

• You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any health care items when scheduling such items or services or upon request.

• If you schedule a health care item or service at least 3 business days in advance, make sure your health care provider or facility gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing within 1 business day after scheduling.

• If you schedule a health care item or service at least 10 business days in advance, make sure your health care provider or facility gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing within 3 business days after scheduling.

• You may also ask any health care provider or facility for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or a service. If you do, make sure the health care provider or facility gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing within 3 business days after you request it. 

• 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 may dispute the bill.

• Be sure to save both a copy and a picture of your Good Faith Estimate and the bill.

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If you have questions about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises/consumers, email FederalPPDRQuestions@cms.hhs.gov, or the CMS No Surprise Help Desk at 800-985-3059. 

A Good Faith Estimate shows the cost of items and services that are reasonably expected for your healthcare needs for an item or service. The estimate is based on information known at the time the estimate was created. 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.