No Surprises Act
Did the federal No Surprises Act protect you?
Since January 2022, federal law has limited what most patients can be balance-billed for certain out-of-network care. Four quick questions tell you whether your bill qualifies for the federal Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) path.
What the No Surprises Act covers
- Emergency-room visits at an out-of-network facility or with an out-of-network ER physician.
- An out-of-network provider (anesthesiologist, radiologist, assistant surgeon, etc.) treating you at an in-network facility, when you did not actively choose them.
- Air ambulance transport.
- Most self-funded and fully-insured group health plans; ACA-marketplace plans.
What it does NOT cover
- Ground ambulance transport (state laws may still apply).
- Out-of-network care you chose voluntarily after receiving the Surprise Billing Protections notice.
- Medicare and Medicaid (separate federal protections, not NSA).
- Pure denials of coverage — for those, see our external review path.
Federal No Surprises Act check
Do you qualify for federal IDR?
4 quick questions. No personal information collected. We’ll point you to the right path: federal IDR, plan-level external review, or expert help.
What this checks
- Out-of-network status of the provider
- Whether the setting is one the NSA protects (ER, ambulance, in-network facility)
- Whether you signed a waiver consenting to OON care
- Whether the bill is the result of a payment dispute
This screener is informational, not legal advice. Federal NSA regulations: 26 CFR 54.9816, 29 CFR 2590.716, 45 CFR 149.