Under the law, healthcare providers need to give patients who don’t have or are not using certain types of healthcare coverage an estimate of the bill for healthcare items and services before those items or services are provided.
- As a self-pay or uninsured patient, you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any healthcare items or services upon request or when scheduling such items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment and hospital fees.
- If you schedule a healthcare item or service at least three business days in advance, make sure your healthcare provider or facility gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing within one business day after scheduling.
- If you schedule a healthcare item or service at least ten business days in advance, make sure your healthcare provider or facility gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing within three business days after scheduling.
- If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.
