Guides / Know your rights
Surprise bills and the No Surprises Act
Protection from many surprise out-of-network bills.
Since 2022, the federal No Surprises Act protects people with most health plans from many surprise bills, such as for emergency care and for certain out-of-network providers at in-network hospitals.
Key protections
- Emergency care: generally only in-network cost-sharing, even at an out-of-network hospital
- Certain out-of-network providers at in-network facilities can't bill you more than in-network cost-sharing, unless you gave valid written consent
- If you're uninsured or paying yourself, you can ask for a good faith estimate before care
If you get a surprise bill
Contact the provider and your insurer, and see CMS.gov/nosurprises for help and how to file a complaint.
General information, not legal advice. Dime and Dollar isn't paid by any insurer, provider, pharmacy or discount program.