Good Faith Estimate
If you pay for counseling yourself, you have the right to know what it’s expected to cost.
The federal No Surprises Act gives people who don’t have insurance, or aren’t using it, the right to a written Good Faith Estimate. This is a private-pay practice that doesn’t bill insurance, so the right applies to every client.
Your rights under the No Surprises Act
Your right to a Good Faith Estimate
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for items and services.
- You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services.
- Make sure your provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your service. You can also ask for one before you schedule.
- 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 cms.gov/nosurprises or call 1-800-985-3059.
How it works here
- The fee
- Email appointments@
kccnw.org for current rates. The estimate puts the expected cost of your sessions in writing before you start. - When you’ll receive it
- Scheduled 3 to 9 business days ahead: within 1 business day of scheduling.
- Scheduled 10 or more business days ahead: within 3 business days of scheduling.
- Asked for before scheduling: within 3 business days of asking.
- Ongoing counseling
- Counseling usually means a series of sessions, so an estimate can cover the sessions expected over a period of up to 12 months. If counseling continues beyond that, you’ll receive a new estimate.
- How it’s delivered
- In writing, on paper or by email, whichever you prefer.
- What it isn’t
- An estimate isn’t a contract. It doesn’t commit you to any number of sessions.
To ask for a Good Faith Estimate, email appointments@
If a bill is higher than your estimate
If you’re billed at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill through the federal patient-provider dispute resolution process. Generally, you need to start within 120 calendar days of the date on the bill.
Keep a copy or a photo of your estimate. You’ll need it to dispute a bill, and you can ask for another copy if you lose yours.
For questions, or to start a dispute, visit cms.gov/nosurprises or call the No Surprises Help Desk at 1-800-985-3059.
Begin with an email
Tell us a little about what you’re looking for, and we’ll reply to arrange a brief conversation.
Or write to appointments@
Please don’t include personal or clinical details by email.