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Practice reference

Good Faith Estimate: what it is

An educational explainer on the Good Faith Estimate that many uninsured and self-pay patients are entitled to under the federal No Surprises Act. Confirm current CMS guidance.

Download the PDFPDF, 1 page, 4 KB. Free, no sign-up. For clinicians.
Educational example only. This is not legal, medical, or compliance advice, and it is not a ready-to-use legal document. Requirements vary by state, payer, and setting. Adapt anything like this to your own situation and have it reviewed by qualified legal and compliance counsel licensed in your jurisdiction before using it in a practice. You are responsible for compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, including HIPAA. shrinkiatry publishes professional commentary and education, not legal or medical advice.

Current as of July 7, 2026. Laws, payer rules, and billing codes change, so confirm the current requirements for your jurisdiction and setting before you rely on it.

What's inside

What it is

Under the No Surprises Act, clinicians generally must give uninsured or self-pay patients a written, good-faith estimate of expected charges for scheduled care.

What it usually includes

  • The service and diagnosis codes expected
  • The expected charge for each item or service
  • A clear total
  • Timing tied to when care is scheduled or requested

The dispute process

If the final bill is substantially higher than the estimate, patients may have a right to dispute it. Keep your estimates realistic and documented, and confirm the current thresholds and timelines with CMS.

About this resource

This reference is part of the shrinkiatry resource library, a set of free, clinician-facing references and examples. It's reviewed by Shariq Refai, MD, MBA, FAPA, a board-certified psychiatrist, on a quarterly schedule. Next scheduled review: October 1, 2026. First published July 7, 2026, last reviewed July 7, 2026.

Browse the rest of the resource library, or verify who reviews this site. Spotted something out of date? Email corrections@shrinkiatry.com.

Educational and professional commentary only. shrinkiatry explains the profession of psychiatry. It doesn't provide medical advice, isn't a substitute for evaluation or treatment by a licensed clinician, and reading it doesn't create a doctor-patient relationship.