This page applies to all people in the United States who:
The No Surprises Act is a federal law that went into effect on January 1, 2022.
Usually, if you don't have or use health insurance to pay for your care, providers must give you a good faith estimate of how much it will cost. You get the estimate when you schedule care at least 3 business days in advance or if you ask for one. You may be able to dispute your bill if it’s at least $400 more than the estimate.
Note: You won’t get an estimate during emergency care.
Get a good faith estimate
If you aren’t using insurance to pay for your care, let your health care provider know in advance. Usually, the provider must give you a good faith estimate of expected charges.
This applies when you don’t have insurance, or are choosing not to use it. You may choose not to use insurance if the service you need isn’t covered, or it’s less expensive if you pay out of pocket.
In most cases, providers and facilities must give you an estimate when you schedule care at least 3 business days in advance, or if you ask for one.
If a bill from one of your providers is at least $400 more than the good faith estimate from that provider, you can dispute your bill.
Dispute a bill
What is a good faith estimate?
A good faith estimate is a list of expected charges before you get health care items or services (procedures, supporting care) from a provider or facility.
The good faith estimate isn't a bill. You're only given one if you don't have insurance or aren’t using insurance to pay for your care.
View an example of a good faith estimate (PDF). (Note: This example is blank. The estimate you get will list details of your care.)
When can you get a good faith estimate?
You’re eligible to get a good faith estimate if you schedule care at least 3 business days (Monday through Friday) in advance. You can ask your provider directly for an estimate if they don’t give one to you.
Note: You won’t get an estimate during emergency care.
What’s included on a good faith estimate?
A good faith estimate should include expected charges for the health care items and services, including facilities fees and hospital fees.
Currently, good faith estimates only list expected charges for a single provider or facility, even if multiple providers will be involved in your care. You should request an estimate from each of your providers and the facility involved in your care.
Note:Your provider should include everything they can on the estimate. But you may need care that they didn’t anticipate. That care won’t be included on the estimate.
Example
You’re scheduled for surgery. You should request 2 good faith estimates: one from the surgeon, and one from the hospital.
The 2 estimates could include services like:
- The cost of the surgery
- Hospital fees
You may need health care items or services from other providers or facilities. You can ask them for a good faith estimate for that care.
Get a good faith estimate in writing from your provider
If you scheduled care and haven’t gotten a good faith estimate yet, ask for one in writing. You don’t need to use the specific term "Good Faith" to request an estimate.
You’ll need a good faith estimate in writing if you need to dispute your bill. You can’t use the No Surprises Act dispute process without an estimate.In that case, find an action plan to help navigate your medical billing situation. And submit a complaintto report a violation of the No Surprises Act.
Read more about good faith estimates
Save your good faith estimate to compare it to your final bill
Save your good faith estimate
Once you get your good faith estimate from your provider or facility, keep it in a safe place and take a picture with your phone (if you have one).
Compare your bill to your good faith estimate
When you get your bill, compare it to the good faith estimate.
View examples to help you know if you can dispute your bill (PDF)
Dispute a bill
You can dispute a bill if one of your providers or facilities charged at least $400 more than their estimate. An independent third party will review your bill and determine an appropriate payment.
You have to start a dispute within 120 days (about 4 months) of getting yourinitial bill. It's important not to delay.
Check if you’re eligible
Other resources
These resources can help you navigate the healthcare system.
FAQs
What happens if you get pulled over without insurance? If you get pulled over without insurance, even if you're a first-time offender, you're likely to get a ticket that carries fines. Fines for driving a car without insurance can reach as high as $5,000 in some states.
Can police pull you over for no insurance in Texas? ›
If you don't comply with the Texas Safety Responsibility Act, you can be pulled over and issued a ticket. You may receive a fine. Then, you must file paperwork demonstrating financial responsibility for an accident.
Can you go to jail for driving without insurance in Texas? ›
You can't go to jail for driving without insurance in Texas, as this offense is considered a Class C misdemeanor. So, what happens if you get caught driving without insurance in Texas? First, you'll get ticketed. The amount will depend on whether this is your first, second, or third offense.
Can police pull you over for no insurance in Florida? ›
Can Police Pull You Over for No Insurance in Florida? Yes, police can pull you over for no insurance. If you get pulled over without insurance in Florida, you may face serious consequences, including fines, license suspension, and vehicle impoundment.
What states is it illegal to not have car insurance? ›
In every state — except for Virginia and New Hampshire — drivers are required to carry some form of auto insurance. If you get caught driving without insurance in state that requires it, you can be subject to large fines, the cancellation of your license or car registration and even jail time.
Are you forced to have health insurance in the US? ›
Health insurance is not mandatory at the federal level for adults. While there is no federal requirement for adults to have health insurance, it's essential to consider the importance of having coverage to protect your health and finances in the event of unexpected medical expenses.
What happens if the person at fault in an accident has no insurance in Texas? ›
If the accident was your fault
If you get into an accident without insurance, you could be on the hook to pay for any damages to the other person's vehicle. Beyond that, the other party could sue you for expenses associated with personal injury, such as medical bills and lost income due to an inability to work.
Can you get a no insurance ticket dismissed in Texas? ›
If you received a citation for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility (No Insurance), you may request that the ticket be dismissed if you can submit valid proof of insurance within 20 business days from date of offense.
Does police report automatically go to insurance in Texas? ›
When the police investigate an accident and complete the accident report, it does not automatically send it to insurers or any insurance company. However, insurance companies or insurers will ask for accident reports from the police if any party files for a car accident lawsuit or is looking to get claims.
Can you sue an uninsured driver in Texas? ›
You can file a lawsuit against an uninsured driver in Texas if you've been involved in an accident and sustained damages as a result of their negligence.
You're required to carry car insurance while driving in Texas. If you don't have auto insurance, you could get a fine of up to $1,000, your vehicle impounded for up to 180 days and your driving privileges suspended for up to two years.
What happens if you are uninsured in Texas? ›
But a ticket for no insurance in Texas is only the beginning of your potential problems. In addition to fines and surcharges, repeat offenders can expect: Vehicle impoundment and associated fees. Vehicle registration suspension.
What do police see when they run your plates in Texas? ›
The police are legally allowed to run your plates without you knowing about it. Here is what cops see when they run your plates: vehicle information, driver's information, and the criminal history of the driver.
Can police run your plates for no reason in Texas? ›
Do Texas Police Need a Reason to Run My License Plate? No, Texas police officers do not need a specific reason to run your license plate through their database. They can do this even if you haven't committed a traffic violation.
Can I take insurance off my car if I'm not driving it in Florida? ›
have continuous coverage even if the vehicle is not being driven or is inoperable. Surrender the license plate/tag BEFORE cancelling your insurance. purchase the policy from an insurance carrier licensed to do business in Florida.
Is there a penalty for no insurance in the US? ›
There is no longer a federal penalty for not having health insurance. But in DC, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and California, the state imposes its own penalty (collected via state tax returns) if a person doesn't maintain health insurance and isn't eligible for an exemption.
How long can you go without health insurance in the US? ›
How long does a Short Gap in Coverage exemption last? For those who were uninsured for a period of less than three consecutive months during the year, the exemption will be granted for those months. You will need to claim a new exemption in future years if you experience these circ*mstances again.
Is insurance mandatory for USA? ›
The question often arises: "Is travel insurance mandatory for USA travel from India?" While not a strict requirement, securing travel insurance is a prudent decision when planning a trip to the United States. Various factors underline the significance of obtaining USA travel insurance for such journeys.
Is insurance required by law in the US? ›
Car insurance is mandatory in almost every state. State minimums and coverage types vary, but nearly all states that mandate insurance require liability coverage for property damage and bodily injury. The sole exception is Florida, which only requires liability coverage for property damage, in addition to PIP coverage.
