Good Faith Estimate (GFE)
Also called: Cost Estimate
In plain English
Under the No Surprises Act, healthcare providers must give uninsured or self-pay patients an estimate of expected charges before providing non-emergency services. If the final bill exceeds the estimate by $400 or more, you can dispute it.
Real-world example
You're uninsured and schedule a knee MRI. The imaging center gives you a good faith estimate of $800. After the MRI, they bill you $1,400. Because the difference exceeds $400, you can file a dispute through the patient-provider dispute resolution process.
Why this matters for your bill
Good faith estimates give uninsured patients real negotiating power. Always request one before any scheduled procedure, keep it in your records, and compare it to your final bill. The $400 dispute threshold is your trigger.
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