The “No Surprises Act” protects you as the patient. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 was enacted on December 27, 2020 and contains many provisions to help protect consumers from surprise bills, including the No Surprises Act under title I and Transparency under title II.
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 cost like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment and hospital fees.
+Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate inwriting at least one (1) business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider and any other provider you choose for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.
+If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.
+ Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises