A new law was recently put into effect on January 1, 2022 about surprise medical health costs. This was put into effect due to people being charged for costs that they were unaware of. For example, going to the emergency room, having surgery, etc. As a psychotherapist, we talk about my fee on the consultation phone call; however to be in compliance with the law I provide a Good Faith Estimate to you. As well, I believe this information below is good to know for your other medical needs.
Good Faith Estimate: Under Section 2799B-6 of the Public Health Service Act, health care providers and health care facilities are required to provide a Good Faith Estimate of expected charges for items and services to 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, upon request or at the time of scheduling health care items and services.
You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate, explaining how much your medical care will cost.
Under this 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, and hospital fees.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate or the dispute process, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call or call (800) 368-1019.
DISCLAIMERS
A 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 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. If this happens, federal law allows you to dispute (appeal) the bill.
There may be additional items or services the convening provider or convening facility recommends as part of the course of care that must be scheduled or requested separately and are not reflected in the good faith estimate.
The information provided in the Good Faith Estimate is only an estimate and that actual items, services, or charges may differ from the Good Faith Estimate.
The Good Faith Estimate is not a contract and does not require the uninsured (or self-pay) individual to obtain the items or services from any of the providers or facilities identified in the Good Faith Estimate.
If you are billed for more than this Good Faith Estimate, you have the right to dispute the bill. You may contact the health care provider or facility listed to let them know the billed charges are higher than the Good Faith Estimate. You can ask them to update the bill to match the Good Faith Estimate, ask to negotiate the bill, or ask if there is financial assistance available.
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, you must start the dispute process within 120 calendar days (about 4 months) of the date on the original bill. 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 on 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.
If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. To learn more and get a form to start the process, go to www.cms.gov/nosurprises. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate or the dispute process, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call (800) 368-1019.