The “No Surprises Act” helps ensure that patients with commercial health insurance (health plans provided by an employer or purchased on the Health Insurance Marketplace) do not receive surprise bills for emergency services, or from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities. It also created a process for uninsured or self-pay patients to request an advanced cost estimate for their health care services from their provider, and a dispute resolution process.

Getting cost estimates before you get care

If you are uninsured or don’t plan to submit your claim to your health plan, health care providers and facilities must provide you with a “good faith estimate” of expected charges before you get an item or service. The good faith estimate is not a bill.

Cook County Health must give you a good faith estimate if you ask for one, or when you schedule a service. It will include expected charges for the primary service you are getting, and any other items or services provided as part of the same scheduled experience.

Estimates will be provided within 1 to 3 business days of an appointment being scheduled or from when a request for an estimate is submitted.

The estimate will include an itemized list with specific details and expected charges for items and services related to your care. The estimate will be provided in writing, either on paper or electronically, in a way that is accessible to you. You can request us to discuss the information in the estimate with you over the phone or in person.

Self-pay patients receive a 30% discount. If you are uninsured, you may qualify for Cook County Health’s financial assistance program, CareLink. Click here to read more.

To request a Good Faith Estimate, please click here to access Cook County Health’s Good Faith Estimate form.

Note: You could be charged more than the estimate if you get additional items or services during your visit or procedure that your doctor did not anticipate.