You’re protected from surprise or balance billing when receiving emergency care or certain services at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center. Balance billing happens when out-of-network providers charge you the difference between what your insurer pays and what they charge. Under federal and state law, you cannot be billed more than your in-network costs for emergency services or care from certain specialists—even if they're out-of-network. You’re only responsible for standard cost-sharing like copays, coinsurance or deductibles. Learn more about your rights at cms.gov/nosurprises or ncdoi.gov.
If you’re uninsured or not using insurance, you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate that outlines the expected cost of your medical care. This estimate includes all related expenses for non-emergency services, such as tests and equipment. You can also request one in advance. If your bill ends up being $400 or more over the estimate, you have the right to dispute it. Learn more at cms.gov/nosurprises.