Under the No Surprises Act (H.R. 133- which will go into effect on January 1, 2022), health care providers need to give clients or patients who do not have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical terms and services.
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This Good Faith Estimate shows the costs of items and services that are reasonably expected for your health care needs for an item or service. The estimate is based on information know at the time the estimate was created.
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You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected costs of any non-emergency items of services. This includes (under the law/when applicable) related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
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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. If this happens, federal law allows you to dispute (appeal) the bill.
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If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill,
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You may contact the health care provider or facility listed to let them know the billed charges are higher than the God Faith Estimate, You can ask them to update the bill to match the Good faith Estimate, ask to negotiate the bill or ask is there financial assistance available.
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You may also start a dispute resolution process with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). If you choose to use the dispute resolution process within 120 calendar days (about months) of the date on the original bill.
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There is a $25 fee to use the dispute process. If the agency reviewing your dispute agrees with you, you will have to pay the price of this Good Faith Estimate. If the agency disagrees with you and agrees with the health care provider or facility, you will have to pay the higher amount.
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Make Sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate within the following timeframes:
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If the service is scheduled at least three business days before the appointment date, no later than one business day after the business day after the date of scheduling.
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If the service is scheduled at least 10 business days before the appointment date, no later than three business days after the date of scheduling; or
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If the insured or self-pay patient requests a good faith estimate (without scheduling the service), no later than three business days after the date of the request. A new good faith estimate must be provided, within the specified time frames if the patient reschedules the requested item or service.
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The No Surprises Act has a universal waiver form required- which Open Doors Counseling Coaching and Consulting will provide in the required frame.
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Please see the Disclaimer tab on this website provided for your viewing. A copy will be provided for your convivence.
Note: A Good Faith Estimate is for your awareness only. It does NOT involve you needing to make any type of commitment.
To learn more and get a form to start the process, go to www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 800-985-3059. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate of the dispute process, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 800-985-3059. Keep a copy of this Good Faith Estimate in a safe place or take a picture of it. You may need it if you are billed a higher a amount.
If you have questions or concerns , please reach out.