Federal Notice

Your Right to a Good Faith Estimate

Effective May 8, 2026

Under the federal No Surprises Act (effective January 1, 2022), you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate ("GFE") of expected charges for medical and mental health services if you are uninsured or self-paying.

What is a Good Faith Estimate?

A Good Faith Estimate shows the costs of items and services that are reasonably expected for your health care needs for an item or service. The estimate is based on the information known at the time it is created and includes diagnostic codes, service codes, and the expected total cost.

When you can get a GFE

If you don't have insurance or you choose not to use your insurance to pay for therapy, you have the right to a written estimate of how much your care will cost.
You have the right to receive a GFE for the total expected cost of any non-emergency services before your appointment, including evaluation and treatment sessions.
You can also ask for a GFE at any time before scheduling an appointment.

How to request a GFE

Email hello@watchmancounseling.com or call (914) 712-8283 at least three business days before your scheduled appointment.

If you schedule a service at least three business days in advance, you must receive your GFE in writing within one business day. If you schedule at least 10 business days in advance, you must receive it within three business days. We will also provide a written estimate at the conclusion of any free consultation, before therapy begins.

What's typically included in a GFE for therapy

Initial intake / evaluation (CPT 90791, 60 minutes)
Individual psychotherapy (CPT 90834, 45 minutes; or CPT 90837, 60 minutes)
Couples / family therapy (CPT 90847, 50 minutes)
Estimated frequency and duration of treatment based on initial assessment
Diagnosis code assigned (where clinically appropriate)
Total estimated cost for the projected course of treatment

Estimates are based on what is reasonably expected at the time of the estimate. Therapy is collaborative; the actual length and frequency of care may change as your needs change.

Your dispute rights

If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you have the right to dispute the bill through the Patient-Provider Dispute Resolution process administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

To dispute, you must file your claim within 120 calendar 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 will have to pay the price on the GFE.

For questions or to start a dispute: cms.gov/nosurprises or call 1-800-985-3059.

Keep your GFE

Make sure to save a copy of your Good Faith Estimate. You will need it if you decide to dispute a bill.

Contact

Hector L. Figueroa, LMSW
Email: hello@watchmancounseling.com
Phone: (914) 712-8283

Mental health emergency? Call 988 or 911, or text HOME to 741741.

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