What is the No Surprises Act?

The No Surprises Act is a federal law that went into effect on January 1, 2022.

It applies to most types of health insurance, and protects you from unexpected out-of-network medical bills from:

• Emergency room visits

• Non-emergency care related to a visit to an in-network hospital, hospital outpatient department, or ambulatory surgical center

• Air ambulance services

Usually, if you don't have or use health insurance, providers must give you a good faith estimate of what your care will cost. You get the estimate when you schedule care in advance or if you ask for one. You may be able to dispute your bill if it’s at least $400 more than the estimate.

You can submit a complaint if you believe that your facility, provider, or insurer isn't following these rules.