This content is for general informational purposes and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Healthcare rules and costs change annually. Last reviewed: January 1, 2026. Always verify current details with your insurer, employer, or a licensed healthcare navigator.
No Surprises Act
A 2022 federal law that protects patients from unexpected out-of-network medical bills.
Full Definition
The No Surprises Act, effective January 1, 2022, protects insured patients from surprise medical bills in most circumstances. Key protections include: out-of-network emergency care must be billed at in-network rates; out-of-network providers at in-network facilities cannot bill patients more than in-network cost-sharing amounts without advance written consent; and air ambulance services from out-of-network providers are limited. Patients must receive good faith cost estimates before scheduled procedures. Disputes between providers and insurers are resolved through an independent dispute resolution (IDR) process rather than being passed to the patient.
Real-World Example
You have emergency surgery at an in-network hospital, but the anesthesiologist is out-of-network. Under the No Surprises Act, you only pay your in-network cost-sharing amount. The anesthesiologist must resolve any billing dispute with your insurer directly — they cannot bill you the difference.
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