Under the No Surprises Act, you have the right to know what your health care will cost before you receive it. This applies to anyone who isn't using insurance to pay for services, or who isn't submitting a claim to their plan.
What you're entitled to
You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate explaining how much your care will cost. Health care providers are required to give an estimate of the expected charges for services to any patient who is uninsured or who is not planning to use their insurance.
- You can ask for a Good Faith Estimate in writing before you schedule a service.
- If you schedule at least three business days in advance, you'll receive the estimate in writing within one business day of scheduling.
- If you schedule at least ten business days in advance, you'll receive it within three business days.
- Make sure to save a copy or a picture of your estimate.
If the bill is higher than the estimate
If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute it through the federal patient-provider dispute resolution process. You have 120 calendar days from the date on the bill to start a dispute.
A note about ongoing therapy
Therapy is open-ended by nature, so an estimate is based on an expected number of sessions rather than a fixed total. The estimate will state the per-session fee and a projected range, and it can be updated as things change. It isn't a contract, and it doesn't obligate you to attend a set number of sessions.
How to request one
Ask at any point, including during the free consultation call. Email deborah@ascendingtherapy.com, call (408) 827-1006, or use the contact form. Current session fees are listed on the services and fees page.
More information
For questions about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit cms.gov/nosurprises or call 1-800-985-3059.