No Surprises Act / Good Faith Estimate

The short version

If you're paying out-of-pocket (no insurance, or you've chosen not to use it), you have the right to a written Good Faith Estimate of what your therapy will cost.
You can request one before scheduling your first session, or at any point during care.
If your final bill is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you may be eligible to dispute the charge.
This page is your standing notice of those rights. Print it, save it, ask us questions — whatever helps.

What the No Surprises Act actually is

The federal No Surprises Act took effect on January 1, 2022. One of its provisions gives uninsured and self-pay clients the right to get a "Good Faith Estimate" of the expected charges for medical and behavioral health services — including therapy — before care begins.

It's part of a broader effort to make health care pricing clearer, less surprising, and less terrifying. We're 100% on board.

You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate of what your care will cost

Under the law, health care providers must give patients who don't have insurance, or who are not using insurance, an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services.

You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency services, including psychotherapy.
Make sure your therapist or our intake coordinator gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least one (1) business day before your service. You can also ask any provider you choose for one before scheduling.
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.
Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit cms.gov/nosurprises or call 1-800-985-3059.

How Ellie handles this

Here's the practical version of what we'll do:

When you sign up self-pay, we'll send you a written Good Faith Estimate before your first session. The estimate will include our session rate, the expected frequency (e.g., weekly), and a projected total based on a typical course of care.
Therapy is unpredictable. Nobody — not us, not you, not the field — can perfectly predict how long therapy will take. The Good Faith Estimate is our honest projection, not a promise. We will update it if your treatment plan changes meaningfully.
You can ask anytime. Even if you're already in care, you can request an updated estimate at any point. Just ask your therapist or our intake coordinator.
Insurance clients. If you're using insurance, the No Surprises Act's Good Faith Estimate rule doesn't apply to you in the same way — your responsibility is governed by your plan. We do verify your benefits before you start and tell you exactly what to expect to pay out of pocket.

Our self-pay rates

For reference, our standard self-pay rates as of the date above:

Individual therapy (53 minutes): $185
Couples or family therapy (60 minutes): $215
Initial intake / diagnostic assessment: $200
Sliding scale (limited spots, financial-hardship): starts at $95

Most clients attend weekly to start, then move to biweekly. Your Good Faith Estimate will project a total based on what your therapist anticipates for your specific situation.

Disputing a bill

If you receive a final bill that is $400 or more above the Good Faith Estimate, you have the right to initiate the patient-provider dispute resolution process within 120 days of the date on the original bill. There is a $25 fee to use the dispute process. If the agency reviewing your dispute agrees with you, you'll pay the price on your Good Faith Estimate. If the agency disagrees and finds the provider's bill is appropriate, you'll have to pay the higher amount.

To learn more or initiate a dispute, visit cms.gov/nosurprises or call 1-800-985-3059.

How to request your Good Faith Estimate

Just ask. Email, phone, or in person — whatever's easiest. We'll send it within one business day.

Ellie Mental Health of NJ — Billing
billing@emhnj.com · 908-913-7704

This page is provided as required by the federal No Surprises Act and is not legal advice. For specific questions about your rights, please contact us or visit cms.gov/nosurprises.