What is the ‘No Surprises Act Notice’ and Good Faith Estimate?

​

Beginning January 1, 2022, the No Surprises Act (H.R. 133) went into effect. The law includes new requirements for health care providers, facilities, health plans, and insurers which are intended to prevent consumers (a.k.a. patients) from receiving unanticipated medical bills. Part 2 regulations on good faith estimates require all health care providers and health care facilities licensed, certified or approved by the state to provide good faith estimates of expected charges for services offered to uninsured and self-pay patients. This means beginning January 1, 2022, MFTs must provide a good faith estimate of expected charges for services within specific timeframes to uninsured or private pay current and future patients. These new regulations set forth specific requirements for what these good faith estimates must contain and add to MFT providers’ recordkeeping responsibilities.

​

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health 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 expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. 

You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services.

​

You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a 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 or call (800) 985-3059.