Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have certain types of health care coverage or who aren’t using certain types of health care coverage an estimate of their bill for health care items and services before those items or services are provided.
Estimating your health care expenses:
- You have the right to receive a good faith estimate for the total expected cost of any health care 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.
Scheduling and receiving estimates:
- If you schedule a health care item or service at least three business days in advance, make sure your health care provider or facility gives you a good faith estimate in writing within one business day after scheduling.
- If you schedule a health care item or service at least 10 business days in advance, make sure your health care provider or facility gives you a good faith estimate in writing within three business days after scheduling.
- You can also ask any health care provider or facility for a good faith estimate before you schedule an item or service. If you do, make sure the health care provider or facility gives you a good faith estimate in writing within three business days after you ask.
Disputing unexpected charges:
- If you receive a bill that’s at least $400 more for any provider or facility than your good faith estimate from that provider or facility, you can dispute the bill.
