Good Faith Estimates, and how to ask for one
What a Good Faith Estimate is, who can request one, and how to ask for yours through the contact page.
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What a Good Faith Estimate Is
The No Surprises Act gives you the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost. Providers need to give patients who don't have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges.
If you are uninsured or paying without insurance, you can request an estimate before scheduling. Most of my clients pay privately. The full notice is on my Fees page, and this page walks through how to ask, when the estimate is due and what to do with it once you have it.
Deadlines to Know
Each deadline depends on when you ask, how far ahead your care is scheduled, or the date on a bill.
Asking Before You Schedule
If you request an estimate before scheduling, it is due within 3 business days of the request.
3 to 9 Business Days Ahead
When care is scheduled 3 to 9 business days ahead, the estimate is due within 1 business day after scheduling.
At Least 10 Business Days Ahead
When care is scheduled at least 10 business days ahead, the estimate is due within 3 business days after scheduling.
If a Bill Is Higher
You can dispute a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate through the federal patient-provider dispute-resolution process, within 120 days of the bill's date.
How to Ask for Yours
Three steps, from asking to keeping the estimate on file.
- 1
Send a Note
Use the contact page to request your Good Faith Estimate. A short note with your name and a way to reach you is a good start, and please leave out any health details.
- 2
Save a Copy
Make sure to save a copy of your Good Faith Estimate when it arrives, somewhere you can find it again later.
- 3
Keep It With Your Bills
When a bill comes for that care, set it beside your estimate. If the bill is at least $400 more than your estimate, the 120-day dispute rule above applies.
Plain Answers About Cost
Cost shouldn't be the part of care you feel awkward asking about. My fees are posted on the Fees page, and a Good Faith Estimate gives you an estimate of the expected charges for your own care. Asking for one is a reasonable request.
If something about cost is unclear, you can ask during the free 15-minute phone consult, and I will answer as plainly as I can. Questions about your insurance plan are welcome then too. I would rather you ask than wonder.
Questions About Good Faith Estimates
Do I have to schedule before I ask for an estimate?
If you are uninsured or paying without insurance, you can ask before scheduling. In that case, the estimate is due within 3 business days of your request.
Can I ask for an estimate during the free consult?
Please use the contact page to request one. You are welcome to ask general questions about cost during the free 15-minute phone consult.
Where can I learn more about my right to an estimate?
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit cms.gov/nosurprises or call 1-800-985-3059.
Fees in Brief
For reference, my fees are $0 for the 15-minute phone consult, $300 for the initial evaluation and $125 for each follow-up session.
- Consult
- $0
- 15 min
- Evaluation
- $300
- 60 to 90 min
- Follow-up
- $125
- 30 to 45 min
Questions about cost are welcome here
Ask them during a free 15-minute phone consult, or use the contact page to request your estimate.
Book a Free 15-Minute Consult