A Good Faith Estimate (GFE) is a written cost estimate that health care providers are required to give you before you receive scheduled, non-emergency services. The requirement was established by the No Surprises Act and took effect January 1, 2022. It applies to uninsured patients and self-pay patients; for insured patients, it is available upon request.
The GFE must include:
If your final bill exceeds your Good Faith Estimate by more than $400, you have the right to dispute it through the No Surprises Act’s Patient-Provider Dispute Resolution process. You must initiate the dispute within 120 days of receiving your bill.
The GFE is not a guarantee of final cost — it’s an estimate based on planned services. Unexpected complications or additional services during the visit may result in higher charges.
Yes, but the mandatory requirement applies to uninsured and self-pay patients. If you have insurance, you can request a GFE from your provider, but they are not always legally required to provide one on the same timeline. Starting in 2026, expanded rules are being phased in that will require providers to give insured patients an Advanced Explanation of Benefits through their insurer before scheduled services.
If the difference exceeds $400 and you’re uninsured or self-pay, you can dispute the bill through the federal Patient-Provider Dispute Resolution (PPDR) process within 120 days of receiving the final bill. File at cms.gov or contact the No Surprises Help Desk at 1-800-985-3059. Keep a copy of your original GFE as documentation.
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