What To Do
What To Do If You Receive a Surprise Medical Bill
Surprise medical bills are often protected by the No Surprises Act. You may owe less than the bill says, or nothing at all.
Updated August 17, 2026 · 7 min read
Quick answer
If you receive a surprise medical bill, check whether the No Surprises Act protects you. For emergency services and certain non-emergency services at in-network facilities, you cannot be balance billed. Dispute any bill that violates these protections.
What Is a Surprise Medical Bill
A surprise medical bill is an unexpected charge, often from an out-of-network provider you did not choose, for services at an in-network facility, or for emergency care. These bills can be significantly higher than what you expected because the provider charges beyond what your insurance paid.
The No Surprises Act Protections
The No Surprises Act, which took effect January 1, 2022, protects you from surprise bills in several situations.
- Emergency services from any provider, regardless of network status.
- Non-emergency services at in-network facilities from out-of-network providers.
- Air ambulance services from out-of-network providers.
- Ancillary services (anesthesiologists, radiologists, pathologists) at in-network facilities.
What You Should Owe
Under the No Surprises Act, your cost-sharing for protected services should be based on in-network rates. You should pay only the in-network copay, coinsurance, or deductible amount - not the provider full charge.
Steps To Take
If you receive a surprise bill, first determine whether the No Surprises Act applies. Then compare the bill to your EOB. If the bill exceeds your in-network patient responsibility, contact the provider and your insurer to dispute the charge.
What the research says
The No Surprises Act protects patients from surprise out-of-network medical bills for emergency services.
Frequently asked questions
Does the No Surprises Act cover all medical bills?
No. It covers emergency services, certain non-emergency services at in-network facilities from out-of-network providers, and air ambulance services. It does not cover ground ambulance or fully out-of-network elective care.
What if I signed a consent form to see an out-of-network provider?
Under the No Surprises Act, you can consent to waive protections for certain non-emergency services. If you signed such a form, the balance billing protections may not apply.
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