Good Faith Estimate

As a consumer of Psychological services, you have the right to receive a notice of my “Good Faith Estimate” policy and plan, which explains how much your mental health care can cost.

The U.S. Federal Government enacted, The No Surprises Act (H.R. 133), law that went into effect on January 1, 2022. Under the federal law, you have the right receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost. The law includes requirements for all health care providers, including Psychologists, that are intended to prevent consumers (i.e., clients) of health care services from receiving large, unanticipated medical bills.

What is a Good Faith Estimate?

A good faith estimate is a notification of expected charges for a scheduled or requested item or service. For psychotherapy, a good faith estimate is expected charges for scheduled therapy sessions. If we agree that psychological assessment will be conducted, a good faith estimate will also include expected charges for the cost to conduct psychological assessment and prepare a written report. The expected charge for an item or service is the cash pay rate or the rate established by a provider for a self-pay or uninsured client. Providers and health care facilities must furnish a good faith estimate of expected charges for items or services provided on or after January 1, 2022, ensuring that uninsured and self-pay individuals have information about health care pricing before receiving care. The purpose of the good faith estimate requirement is to give individuals an opportunity to evaluate their health care options, manage care costs, and prevent surprise billing.

Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who are not using their health insurance or don’t have insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. 

You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services.

You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service.

If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.

 For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call (800) 985-3059.