Your Right to a Good Faith Estimate

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost.

Under the law, health care 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. This is called a Good Faith Estimate.

What You Need to Know

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.
Make sure your health care 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.
If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.

How This Applies to Therapy

As a self-pay (out-of-network) therapy provider, I will provide you with a Good Faith Estimate of expected charges before beginning treatment. This estimate will include:

The expected cost per session
The anticipated frequency of sessions
An estimated total cost of treatment based on your initial treatment plan

Please note that the actual cost of therapy may vary based on changes in your treatment plan, the number of sessions attended, and other factors that may arise during the course of treatment.

Disputing a Bill

Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. If you are billed for more than your Good Faith Estimate, you have the right to dispute the bill. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 1-800-985-3059.

Contact

If you have any questions about Good Faith Estimates or billing, please contact:

Vera McGrath, LMFT
2945 Harding Street, Suite 210
Carlsbad, CA 92008
(760) 517-6361
vera@veramcgrath.com