The No Surprises Act is a U.S. federal law that went into effect on January 1, 2022, designed to protect patients from unexpected medical bills, particularly for out-of-network services.

It primarily prevents balance billing, where a patient receives a bill for the difference between what their insurance covers and what an out-of-network provider charges.

This law applies to emergency services, non-emergency services at in-network facilities, and air ambulance services. Under the act, if a patient receives emergency care at an out-of-network hospital, they are only responsible for in-network cost-sharing amounts, and providers cannot charge extra. Similarly, for non-emergency care at an in-network hospital, patients cannot be billed extra by out-of-network doctors unless they provide written consent. However, ground ambulance services are not covered under this law.

The No Surprises Act also improves billing transparency, requiring healthcare providers to give uninsured or self-pay patients a Good Faith Estimate of expected medical costs before treatment. It establishes a dispute resolution process for providers and insurers to settle payment disagreements.

By enforcing fair billing practices, the No Surprises Act helps prevent unexpected financial burdens, ensuring patients receive medical care without worrying about hidden costs.