Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.
- You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
- If you have scheduled your appointment 10 or more days in advance, your health care provider will prepare a Good Faith Estimate at least 3 business days prior to your scheduled medical service. If you have scheduled your appointment 9 to 3 days in advance, your health care provider will prepare you a Good Faith Estimate at least 1 business day prior to your scheduled service. If your appointment is scheduled less than 3 days in advance, your health care provider is not required to prepare a Good Faith Estimate. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.
- 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.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit, www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call (205-949-2020)
