The No Surprises Act: Your Rights Against Surprise Medical Bills

What the No Surprises Act Covers

Emergency Services

• You can't be balance-billed for emergency care, even at out-of-network facilities
• You only pay your in-network cost-sharing amount
• Applies to emergency rooms, freestanding emergency departments, and air ambulances

Non-Emergency at In-Network Facilities

• Out-of-network providers at in-network facilities can't surprise-bill you
• Applies to: anesthesiologists, radiologists, pathologists, assistant surgeons, etc.
• You must consent in writing to out-of-network charges (with some exceptions)

Air Ambulance

• Air ambulance services can't balance-bill you
• You pay only in-network cost-sharing
• Ground ambulance is NOT covered by the NSA

Your Rights

1. Good faith estimate if uninsured or self-pay
2. No balance billing for covered emergency services
3. In-network cost-sharing for out-of-network emergency care
4. Written consent required for planned out-of-network care at in-network facilities
5. Dispute resolution through federal Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR)

How to Use the NSA in Appeals

If you received a surprise bill that violates the NSA:

1. Contact your insurer and cite the No Surprises Act
2. File a complaint at cms.gov/nosurprises
3. Call 1-800-985-3059 (No Surprises Help Desk)