Good Faith Estimate

Effective January 1, 2022, a ruling went into effect called the “No Surprises Act” which requires practitioners to provider a “Good Faith Estimate” to individuals who are uninsured or utilize self-pay. The Good Faith Estimate (referred to throughout this document as “GFE”) works to show the cost of items and services that are reasonably expected for your health care needs for an item or service, a diagnosis, and a reason for mental health services. The estimate is based on information known at the time the estimate was created. The GFE does not include any unknown or unexpected costs that may arise during treatment. You could be charged more if complications or special circumstances occur and will be provided a new GFE should this occur. If this happens, federal law allows you to dispute (appeal) the bill if you and your provider have not previously talked about the change and you have not been given an updated GFE.

Under Section 2799B-6 of the Public Health Service Act (PHSA), 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 GFE of expected charges.

Note: The PHSA and GFE do not currently apply to any individuals who are using insurance benefits, including “out of network benefits” (i.e.., submitting superbills to insurance for reimbursement). 

Timeline requirements: Providers are required to provide a GFE of expected charges for a scheduled or requested service, including items or services that are reasonably expected to be provided in conjunction with such scheduled or requested item or service. That estimate must be provided within specified timeframes:

• If the service is scheduled at least 3 business days before the appointment date: no later than 1 business day after the date of scheduling;
• If the service is scheduled at least 10 business days before the appointment date: no later than 3 business days after the date of scheduling; or
• If the uninsured or self-pay individual requests a GFE (without scheduling the service): no later than 3 business days after the date of the request. A new GFE must be provided, within the specified timeframes if the individual reschedules the requested item or service.

• Your schedule and life circumstances
• Your provider’s availability
• Ongoing life challenges
• The nature of your specific challenges and how you address them
• Personal finances

You and your provider will continually assess the appropriate frequency of services and will work together to determine when you have met your goals and are ready for discharge and/or a new “Good Faith Estimate” will be issued should your frequency or needs change.

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