No Surprises Act

Your Right to an Estimate of Healthcare Costs

Under the No Surprises Act (effective January 1, 2022, and updated for 2026), healthcare providers must provide patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.

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• You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate (GFE) for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.

• Timing of your estimate: ​

  • If you schedule a service at least 3 business days in advance, we will provide a GFE within 1 business day of scheduling. f you schedule at least 10 business days in advance, we will provide it within 3 business days.

  • You can also ask for a GFE before you schedule a service.

• Disputing a bill: If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill through the federal patient-provider dispute resolution process.

• Keep your GFE: Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate for your records.

 

How We Handle Estimates at Astacio Wellness

Because mental health treatment is highly individualized, Dr. Astacio provides a Standard Fee Schedule upon your first inquiry. Once an initial evaluation is completed and a frequency of care is recommended (e.g., weekly or bi-weekly sessions), a formal Good Faith Estimate will be generated via our secure SimplePractice portal.

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• Supervision Services: For supervisees seeking AAMFT-approved supervision, a GFE will be provided based on the agreed-upon frequency of supervision hours for the 12-month period.

• Updates: If your treatment plan changes significantly (e.g., changing from individual to family therapy), an updated GFE will be provided.

 

Questions or Disputes?

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call the No Surprises Help Desk at 800-985-3059.