Ask for the Price First: How to Get a Good Faith Estimate Before Your Next Medical Visit

Pull up a chair. Most of us wouldn't agree to a kitchen remodel without a number in writing, yet every day families say yes to scans, procedures, and surgeries without knowing what they'll owe.

Let's break down a federal announcement from earlier this month, and more importantly, the rights you may already have to ask "how much?" before you say "yes."

Here's What Happened

On October 5, 2026, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sent letters to 24 of the nation's largest healthcare services companies. The letters remind them of their legal obligation to give patients timely, accurate, and complete pricing information, particularly for routine and non-emergency care scheduled in advance. Read the FTC announcement.

According to the FTC, leaving out the price of a service can be deceptive if it's likely to mislead a reasonable consumer. A price that is shared can still mislead if it's incomplete, such as when it leaves out physician or facility fees or covers only part of the expected care.

The FTC also said that following the price transparency rules of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) does not, by itself, mean a facility has met its obligations under the FTC Act.

One important note: these were warning letters. They urge companies to review their price disclosure practices, but they are not a finding that any specific company broke the law.

Why It Matters

In its announcement, the FTC described healthcare as "among the largest and most consequential expenses American families face" and noted that prices for the same service can differ dramatically from one facility to the next.

When you can't see a price ahead of time, you can't compare. And if you can't compare, it's hard to plan, budget, or even decide whether to have a procedure at one place or another.

A letter to companies won't change your next bill overnight. But the consumer rights behind it already exist, and many people don't know they can use them.

What This Means for the Village

Anyone paying out of pocket has the clearest federal protections. CMS says that if you don't have or don't use health insurance, providers must usually give you a good faith estimate of what your care will cost when you schedule in advance or ask for one.

That can include people who are uninsured, between jobs, or self-employed and paying cash for care. Retirees on a fixed income and parents planning a child's procedure also have a lot riding on knowing the number early.

If you read our recent piece on what the latest inflation report means for your family, you know every line of the household budget is already under a magnifying glass. A medical bill is one of the few that can arrive as a surprise.

What You Can Do Now

Here's a simple plan, based on guidance from CMS and the FTC announcement:

1. Ask for the price before you schedule. You can ask your provider for a good faith estimate before booking care, and CMS says they must give it to you within 3 business days.

2. Schedule at least 3 business days ahead when you can. CMS says care scheduled 3 to 9 business days out should come with an estimate within 1 business day, and care scheduled 10 or more business days out within 3 business days. If you schedule 0 to 2 business days ahead, you aren't entitled to one.

3. Request a separate estimate from each provider. A good faith estimate lists charges for a single provider or facility. For a surgery, CMS suggests asking for one from the surgeon and one from the hospital.

4. Ask what isn't included. Estimates might leave out separately scheduled visits (like physical therapy), services from other providers, and extras your doctor didn't anticipate.

5. Check the hospital's posted prices. CMS says hospitals must post their standard charges online, including the discounted cash price, and cover at least 300 shoppable services that can be planned in advance. Compare options, and use Medicare's Care Compare to look at quality information too.

6. Keep your estimate and your bill together. You can't dispute a bill without an estimate. If you lose it, ask your provider for another copy.

7. Know the dispute option. If you didn't use insurance and a provider charged at least $400 more than the estimate, you may be able to dispute the bill if the initial bill is dated within the last 120 calendar days. The fee is $25 and is non-refundable, but it's deducted from what you owe if the dispute is decided in your favor.

A few more details from CMS on disputes: while a dispute is open, your provider can't move your bill into collections or threaten to. Your costs won't increase for disputing. And if the reviewer finds the extra charges were for services your provider couldn't reasonably have anticipated, the bill may stay as-is. You can read the full steps on the CMS dispute page.

If you should have received an estimate and didn't, you can file a complaint. The No Surprises Help Desk is open 7 days a week at 1-800-985-3059, with help in English, Spanish, and more than 350 other languages.

Using insurance? The dispute process above is for people who don't use insurance. Your protections are different: the No Surprises Act guards against certain unexpected out-of-network bills from emergency room visits, non-emergency care at in-network facilities, and air ambulance services. CMS explains the details on its medical bill rights page. It's also smart to call your insurer's member line and ask for a cost estimate before planned care.

How the Village Can Help

This is one of those things neighbors can do for each other with a little time and a phone.

• Share this article with someone who's self-pay, between jobs, or planning a procedure soon.

• Offer to sit with an older parent or neighbor while they call a billing office, and help them take notes.

• Help a friend keep a folder for estimates, bills, and dates so the 120-day window doesn't slip by.

• Passing along scam warnings matters too. Our guide to staying safe during Medicare Open Enrollment is worth sharing with the older adults in your life.

• Looking for local health resources? Check this Around The Village roundup of free health events.

Front Porch Takeaway

The village is strongest when it's prepared, and nothing prepares you better than asking "how much?" before you say "yes."

Sources

• FTC: FTC Issues Letters Warning Hospitals Against Deceptive Pricing Practices (Oct. 5, 2026)

• CMS: What is a good faith health insurance estimate?

• CMS: Dispute a medical bill

• CMS: Medical bill rights (No Surprises Act)

• CMS: How to get the most out of hospital price transparency

This article is for general information only and isn't medical, legal, or financial advice. Details can change, so confirm current rules with CMS or your provider before you act.