Good Faith Estimate
Effective January 1, 2022: Right to Receive a Good Faith Estimate of Expected Charges
Under Section 2799B-6 of the Public Health Service Act, health care providers and health care facilities are required to inform individuals who are not enrolled in a plan or coverage or a Federal health care program, or not seeking to file a claim with their plan or coverage both orally and in writing of their ability, upon request or at the time of scheduling health care items and services, to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” of expected charges.
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost.
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.
Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing. When services are scheduled 3–9 business days in advance, the estimate must be provided within 1 business day of scheduling. When services are scheduled 10 or more business days in advance, the estimate must be provided within 3 business days of scheduling. You can also request a Good Faith Estimate before scheduling services, and it must generally be provided within 3 business days of your request.
If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.
If you receive a GFE, please make sure to save a copy or take a picture of it. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.