Get Care · Good Faith Estimate
Good Faith Estimate, know the cost before you begin.
If you're paying for your care yourself, you have the right to a Good Faith Estimate: a written estimate of what your care is expected to cost, before it begins. It comes from a federal law, the No Surprises Act.
We send one to everyone who pays us directly, before their first session. If anything on it is unclear, our care team is happy to go through it with you, in English or Chinese.
- Who receives one
- Anyone paying for themselves
- Even if you'll claim from your insurer later
- When
- Before your first session
- Or within 3 business days of asking
- Where
- In your Client Portal
- Alongside your intake forms
- What it covers
- Your care until December 31
- With a new estimate each year
What your estimate shows
It lists the care your clinician expects to provide this year, and what each part costs. Here's an example, so you know what to look for.
Good Faith Estimate
ExampleMind & Body Garden Psychology
| Service | Sessions | Charge |
|---|---|---|
| First session90791 | 1 | $200 |
| Weekly sessions90834, 90837 | 52 | $10,400 |
| Estimated total | $10,600 | |
This estimates weekly sessions for the year. You're only charged for the sessions you attend.
- It counts a session every weekTo be on the safe side, it counts your first session and then one every week until December 31, which is why the total can look large. Starting later in the year? It counts fewer weeks.
- You only pay for the sessions you haveEach one is charged at your clinician's rate. The estimate isn't a bill, and it doesn't commit you to any number of sessions. A session cancelled with less than 48 hours' notice, or missed, is charged as usual.
- A new one each yearStill seeing us as the year ends? We'll send you a new estimate for the year ahead.
- Psychiatry and testing have their ownFor psychiatry, your estimate lists your first evaluation and follow-ups. For psychological testing, it shows the fee for your assessment.
Your rights under the No Surprises Act
This is the federal government's standard notice about your right to an estimate, word for word.
From the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
You have the right to receive a "Good Faith Estimate" explaining how much your health care will cost
Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don't have certain types of health care coverage or who are not using certain types of health care coverage an estimate of their bill for health care items and services before those items or services are provided.
- You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any health care items or services upon request or when scheduling such items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
- If you schedule a health care item or service at least 3 business days in advance, make sure your health care provider or facility gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing within 1 business day after scheduling. If you schedule a health care item or service at least 10 business days in advance, make sure your health care provider or facility gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing within 3 business days after scheduling. You can also ask any health care provider or facility for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service. If you do, make sure the health care provider or facility gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing within 3 business days after you ask.
- If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more for any provider or facility than your Good Faith Estimate from that provider or facility, you can dispute the bill.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises/consumers, email FederalPPDRQuestions@cms.hhs.gov, or call 1-800-985-3059.
If a bill is higher than your estimate
- Compare it with your estimateKeep a copy of your estimate (a screenshot is fine), so you can check each bill against it.
- Talk to us firstOur care team will go through the bill with you and look into anything that doesn't match.
- Ask for an independent reviewIf a bill is at least $400 more than your estimate, you can dispute it within 120 days of receiving it. There's a $25 fee, which comes off your bill if the decision goes your way, and the bill can't be sent to collections while it's being reviewed.
Good to know
Anything else about cost? Insurance & Fees goes through each way to pay, and our care team is always happy to talk it through.
Who receives a Good Faith Estimate?
Everyone who pays us directly: if you don't have insurance, or aren't using it with us. That includes paying with an FSA or HSA card, and seeing us out of network and claiming back with a superbill. If your sessions are billed to Lyra Health, Spring Health, Modern Health, Kaiser or a plan through Headway, your plan sets what you pay, and they can tell you your share.
Can I ask for an estimate myself?
Yes, anytime: before you book, or later if something changes, such as starting psychiatry or psychological testing. Just ask our care team, and we'll send it to you in writing within 3 business days. You don't need to use the words "Good Faith Estimate."
Do I need to sign it?
Not for therapy: it's in your Client Portal to read and keep. For psychological testing, we'll ask you to sign it along with your other forms.
Is there an estimate for coaching?
No. Coaching isn't health care, so it isn't part of the No Surprises Act. Our care team is happy to tell you what coaching costs before you start.
Where can I learn more about my rights?
The federal No Surprises Help Desk answers questions in English, Spanish and more than 350 other languages. Call 1-800-985-3059, or visit cms.gov/nosurprises.
Questions about your estimate?
Our care team is happy to go through it with you, line by line, in English or Chinese. Send us a short message, or call or text (650) 434-2563.
