No Surprises Act
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost. The federal No Surprises Act went into effect on January 1st, 2022, and it protects “surprise billing.” As an out-of-network provider who does not accept insurance, Dr. Hudson provides notice consistent with the No Surprises Act to all clients. Clients can expect that insurance will not reimburse testing, and the client will be required to pay the full amount in the good faith estimate provided in the testing agreement and fees. Given that testing is billed at a flat rate and insurance reimbursement is not expected, billing surprises are unlikely to occur. The good faith estimate is only an estimate. Actual services and charges may differ from the estimate.
Under the law, healthcare providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.
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You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
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Make sure your healthcare provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.
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If an invoice is at least $400 higher than the good faith estimate, the law provides a process for disputing the invoice within 120 days.
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Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 800-985-3059.