What a Good Faith Estimate is
A Good Faith Estimate is an estimate of expected charges for items and services that may be provided as part of your care. It is not a bill. The GFE gives you upfront, written information about what care is likely to cost so you can decide before scheduling.
When this applies
This applies if you do not have insurance, if you choose not to use your private insurance for a service, or if your private plan does not cover the service. It does not apply if you have Medicare (including Medicare Advantage), Medicaid, TRICARE, or another federal health program, even for a service that program does not cover. If you have Medicare, I tell you in writing before you schedule which parts Medicare covers and what any other part will cost.
When you should get it
- You can ask for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule. Any question about the cost of a service counts as a request.
- If you ask before you schedule, you should get the estimate in writing within 3 business days after you ask.
- If you schedule at least 3 business days ahead, you should get it in writing within 1 business day after scheduling.
- If you schedule at least 10 business days ahead, you should get it in writing within 3 business days after scheduling.
- Keep a copy or a photo of your estimate. You will need it if you dispute a bill.
Disputing a bill
If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than the expected charges listed in your Good Faith Estimate from that provider or facility, you may be able to dispute the bill through the federal patient-provider dispute resolution process. You must start the dispute within 120 calendar days of the date on your first bill.
Learn more: CMS: Dispute a medical bill (opens in a new tab).
Questions about your rights
Visit CMS medical bill rights (opens in a new tab), email FederalPPDRQuestions@cms.hhs.gov, or call 1-800-985-3059.
Requesting an estimate
To ask for a Good Faith Estimate, call (321) 295-1200, or send a secure inquiry and write "Good Faith Estimate" in the note.
Legal basis
This notice is provided under the No Surprises Act (42 U.S.C. § 300gg-136) and implementing regulations at 45 C.F.R. §§ 149.610 and 149.620 (published in 86 Fed. Reg. 55980, Oct. 7, 2021). It applies to uninsured and self-pay clients of behavioral health services, including services that a private plan does not cover. It does not apply to people enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, or another federal health care program (42 U.S.C. § 300gg-136(2)(B)).