Under the No Surprises Act, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. This is called a Good Faith Estimate.
Patients have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes psychotherapy services.
Patients can ask their health care provider, and any other provider they choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before they schedule a service. Patients can ask for a Good Faith Estimate for specific items or services, or for the total expected cost of treatment.
If a patient receives a bill that is at least $400 more than their Good Faith Estimate, they can dispute the bill.
For questions or more information about a Good Faith Estimate, patients can contact their health care provider.
The recommendations on this website do not constitute professional advice, substitute for professional treatment, or establish a therapeutic relationship. If you are in crisis, please do not use this site. Call or text Blackline (prioritizing BIPOC) 800-604-5841, Trans Lifeline 877-565-8860, Wildflower Alliance Peer Support Line 888-407-4515, NAMI Helpline 24/7 Text "NAMI" TO 741741, or Lines for Life 800-273-8255. Disclaimer for helplines: some crisis line workers are mandated reporters (to the police). You have the right to ask about their reporting policies before sharing anything. If you or someone you know is in immediate, life-threatening danger and decide to call 911, please be aware not all police officers are trained to offer mental health support. If you need to call 911, you may also want to reach out to community leaders, neighbors, friends, and family to be present if the police respond for a wellness check.