What is a good faith estimate?
Last updated September 3, 2026.
Your federal right when uninsured or self-paying: the provider must give you a written estimate of expected charges if you ask, or when you schedule at least 3 business days ahead - per CMS under the No Surprises Act. It itemizes the main service plus reasonably expected related charges, and it has teeth: a final bill $400 or more above the estimate can be disputed through a federal patient-provider process. Use it well: request it before any scheduled non-urgent care, from each provider involved; keep the written copy - it is the document a dispute runs on; and use it as a negotiation tool before the visit.
What to do
- Ask for it by name. "Good faith estimate" - providers must respond.
- Collect one from each provider. Facility and professionals can owe separate estimates.
- Keep the written copy. It is the dispute document.
- Dispute bills $400 or more over. The federal process exists for exactly this.
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