Right to Receive a Good Faith Estimate of Expected Charges
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining
how much your health care will cost.
Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t
have certain types of health care coverage or who are not using certain
types of health care coverage an estimate of their bill for health care
items and services before those items or services are provided.
You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected
cost of any health care items or services upon request or when scheduling
such items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests,
prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
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 can also ask any health care provider or facility for a Good Faith
Estimate before you schedule an item or 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 ask.
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 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 www.cms.gov/nosurprises/consumers, email FederalPPDRQuestions@cms.hhs.gov,
or call 1-800-985-3059.
Click
here to download this information in PDF form.
Patient Protections Against Surprise Billing
When you get emergency care or get treated by an out-of-network provider
at in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, you are protected
from surprise billing or balance billing.
To learn more about about Patient Protections Against Surprise Billing, click
here.
BHS Foundation