“Good Faith Estimate”
Beginning January 1, 2022, as a part of the “No Surprises Act,” health care providers will be required by law to give uninsured and self-pay clients a “Good Faith Estimate” (GFE) of costs for services that they offer, when scheduling care or when the client requests an estimate. The act aims to reduce the likelihood that clients may receive a “surprise” medical bill by requiring that providers inform them of an expected charge for a service before the service is provided.
Right to a “Good Faith Estimate”
Under the law, therapists and other health care providers need to give clients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services. Under this law, you have the following rights:
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” (GFE) explaining how much your medical care will cost.
You have the right to receive a GFE for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services, like therapy sessions. This includes related costs of recommended services like initial intakes, assessments, evaluations, phone consultations, or specialized sessions.
You have the right to make sure your therapist gives you a GFE in writing at least 1 business day before your service. You can also ask your therapist, and any other health care provider you choose, for a GFE before you schedule an item or service.
You have the right to dispute a bill that is at least $400 more than your GFE.
You have the right to save a copy or picture of your GFE.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 850-400-4369.