No Surprises Act
The No Surprises Act protects people covered under group and individual health plans from receiving surprise medical bills when they receive services from out-of-network providers. It also establishes an independent resolution process for payment disputes between plans and providers, and provides new resolution opportunities for uninsured and self-pay individuals when they receive a medical bill that is substantially greater than the good faith estimate they get from the provider.
Effective January 1, 2022, there are new protections that prevent surprise medical bills. If you have private health insurance, these new protections ban the most common types of surprise bills. If you’re uninsured or you decide not to use your health insurance for a service, under these protections, you can often get a good faith estimate of the cost of your care upfront, before your visit. If you disagree with your bill, you may be able to dispute the charges.
Know Your Rights: Learn More About the No Surprises Act
Before the No Surprises Act, if you had health insurance and received care from an out-of-network provider or an out-of-network facility, even unknowingly, your health plan may not have covered the entire out-of-network cost. This could have left you with higher costs than if you got care from an in-network provider or facility. In addition to any out-of-network cost sharing you might have owed, the out-of-network provider or facility could bill you for the difference between the billed charge and the amount your health plan paid, unless banned by state law. This is called “balance billing.” An unexpected balance bill from an out-of-network provider is also called a surprise medical bill. People with Medicare and Medicaid already enjoy these protections and are not at risk for surprise billing.
A Good Faith Estimate shows the cost of items and services that are expected for your health care needs for an item or service.
- The estimate is based on information known at the time the estimate was created.
- The Good Faith estimate does not include any unknown or unexpected costs that may arise during treatment, and you could be charged more if complications or unusual circumstances occur. If this happens, federal law allows you to dispute (appeal) the bill.
- If you would like to receive a good faith estimate before your appointment, call our Patient Financial Services department at 401-427-7820.
If your services were rendered at a hospital facility, you will receive one bill from Rhode Island Medical Imaging for the PHYSICIAN SERVICE and a separate bill from the HOSPITAL FACILITY for the use of their facility, supplies, and technical support.
If you are seeking radiology services at one of our hospital affiliates, we advise you to contact their facility for an estimate on the physician service quote. A full list of our hospital affiliates can be found in the tab below.
RIMI radiologists read for the following hospitals and healthcare systems.
Brown University Health (Lifespan)
Hasbro Children’s Hospital
Miriam Hospital
Newport Hospital
Rhode Island Hospital
Care New England
Kent Hospital
Women & Infants Hospital
CharterCARE Health Partners
Our Lady of Fatima Hospital
Roger Williams Medical Center
Other Partners
Landmark Medical Center
South County Hospital
Sturdy Memorial Hospital (MA)
Call our Patient Financial Services department at 401-427-7820.