Counseling Services of Litchfield County LLC
Effective January 1, 2022,
I am required to post about a new law that broadly applies to all licensed healthcare providers. This is called a “Good Faith Estimate” (see below).
Under Section 2799B-6 of the Public Health Service Act, health care providers and health care facilities are required to inform individuals who are not enrolled in a plan or coverage or a Federal health care program, or not seeking to file a claim with their plan or coverage both orally and in writing of their ability, upon request or at the time of scheduling health care items and services, to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” of expected charges.
In general, to calculate your estimated out of pocket cost of therapy for cash pay or uninsured clients:
(Session fee) x (number of sessions in 12-month period) = Total estimated cost of therapy services.
This does not include fees for late cancellations or no shows with less than 24 hours notice. It is also not possible for me to diagnose or accurately estimate the length of time for treatment in therapy prior to individualized assessment, so I estimate the upper amount of time over 12 months of weekly therapy. In practice, I collaboratively revisit therapy goals and progress with clients every 3 months. A Good Faith Estimate does not obligate or require you to obtain any listed services from a healthcare provider.
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical 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 medical 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. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
• Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.
• 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 www.cms.gov/nosurprises
