Good Faith Estimate

Under section 2799B-6 of the Public Health Service Act, patients have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much 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.

• Patients 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.

• Patients should make sure the health care provider gives them a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before the medical service or item. Patients can also ask the health care provider, and any other provider chosen, for a Good Faith Estimate before scheduling an item or service.

• If the patient receives a bill that is at least $400 more than the Good Faith Estimate, they can dispute the bill.

• Patients should save a copy or picture of the Good Faith Estimate.

Healthcare providers and healthcare facilities are required to tell patients their ability to be given a “Good Faith Estimate” of expected cost. These patients include:

• Patients that are not enrolled in an insurance plan

• Patients that are not enrolled in a federal health care program. (Medicare/Medicaid, etc.)

• Patients that do not want to file a claim with their insurance; both by spoken words and in writing.

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.