A “Good Faith Estimate” explains how much your health care is expected to cost

Under U.S. Federal law, you may have the right to ask your health care provider for a “Good Faith Estimate” of expected charges before you receive health care items or services.

A Good Faith Estimate is not a bill, and it is not a contract. It is a written document that includes a list of expected charges for a scheduled health care item or service.

If you don’t have health insurance coverage (or if you’re covered by certain types of health insurance but are not planning to have claims submitted to your health insurance company), your health care provider may be required to provide you with a Good Faith Estimate, without you having to ask.

If you’re scheduled to receive health care and would like a Good Faith Estimate but haven't received one, let your health care provider know so that they can prepare one for you. 

If you’ve received a Good Faith Estimate and have questions about it, you may ask your provider to explain it.

If you get additional items or services that your health care provider didn’t anticipate, you could be charged more than is listed in the estimate.

If you’re charged $400 (or more) than the amount listed in the Good Faith Estimate, you may be eligible to dispute the bill through a patient-provider dispute resolution process.

For more information about Good Faith Estimates, the patient-provider dispute resolution process, and additional national consumer protections related to surprise medical bills, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises/consumers. 

If you have questions, you may email FederalPPDRQuestions@cms.hhs.gov or call 1-800-985-3059.