A federal law bans most surprise out-of-network bills. Answer four questions to see where your bill likely falls.
Enter your bill to check
Four questions — then a plain-English read on whether the No Surprises Act likely covers your bill, and what to do next.
VERDICT
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The numbers
What to do next
Don't pay the out-of-network portion yet. Paying it can be treated as accepting the charges.
Call your insurer and ask them to reprocess the claim under the No Surprises Act.
You can file a complaint with CMS — the federal agency that enforces the law — at cms.gov/nosurprises.
Keep everything in writing: the bill, your explanation of benefits, and notes from every call, with dates and names.
The federal No Surprises Act (in effect since 2022) bans "balance billing" — the practice of charging you the difference between what an out-of-network provider bills and what your insurer pays — in most cases. It covers emergency services (at any facility, in-network or not), and non-emergency care at in-network facilities when out-of-network specialists you didn't choose treat you. Providers can't ask you to waive these protections in an emergency, and for planned care the consent form must be given at least 72 hours ahead. One gap to know: ground ambulance rides are generally not covered by the Act. This tool gives general guidance only — it is not legal advice. For your specific situation, talk to your state's insurance department.
Surprise Bill Check
Verdict
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Total bill
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Out-of-network balance bill
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Emergency care
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In-network facility
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General guidance only — not legal advice. Printed from Honed Proof.
Honed Proof provides health information for general purposes only — not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always talk to a qualified health professional about your own care.
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