"No Surprises Act" and Mental Health Services

The No Surprises Act was passed to protect individuals from surprise medical bills. Though mental health services are already required to have transparent prices by governing licensing and medical boards, this law does require the provision of a "good faith estimate," with an estimated cost of care given at the start of services and updated as needed. This is to protect your rights to access healthcare without unreasonable unexpected costs by allowing you knowledge up front of the total and reasonably expected costs. With mental health services, such precision can be a moving target based on many variables that determine progress toward treatment goals. In compliance with this law, each client or prospective client will be provided a good faith estimate for the expected cost of services at the beginning of treatment or as expectations change. 

Disclaimer

The Good Faith Estimate shows the costs of items and services that are reasonably expected for your health care needs for an item or service. The estimate is based on information known at the time the estimate was created.

The Good Faith Estimate does not include any unknown or unexpected costs that may arise during treatment. You could be charged more if complications or special circumstances occur. If this happens, federal law allows you to dispute (appeal) the bill. If you are billed for more than the Good Faith Estimate, you have the right to dispute the bill.

You may contact the health care provider or facility listed to let them know the billed charges are higher than the Good Faith Estimate. You can ask them to update the bill to match the Good Faith Estimate, ask to negotiate the bill, or ask if there is financial assistance available. You may also start a dispute resolution process with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). If you choose to use the dispute resolution process, you must start the dispute process within 120 calendar days (about 4
months) of the date on the original bill.

There is a $25 fee to use the dispute process. If the agency reviewing your dispute agrees with you, you will have to pay the price on the Good Faith Estimate. If the agency disagrees with you and agrees with the health care provider or facility, you will have to pay the higher amount.

To learn more and get a form to start the process, go to www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call (800) 368-1019 .
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate or the dispute process, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call (800) 368-1019 . 

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LOCATION

THE COUNSELING CENTER OFFICES:
3153 Reynolda Rd
Winston Salem, NC 27106
(On the campus of Bridges Church)

CONTACT:

(336) 891-3238

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