No Surprises Act
Introduction to the No Surprises Act
The No Surprises Act (Effective January 1, 2022) is a federal law that protects you from unexpected medical bills, also known as surprise bills. These can happen when you receive care from an out-of-network provider without knowing it, especially in emergencies or at in-network hospitals with out-of-network doctors. Under this Act, you won't be balance billed for emergency services, and your cost-sharing will be at in-network levels. It also covers certain non-emergency services at in-network facilities, like anesthesia or radiology, protecting you from extra charges.
Good Faith Estimates for Uninsured or Self-Pay Patients
If you're uninsured or choosing to pay out-of-pocket, you can request a good-faith estimate of the cost of your care. This estimate should be provided in writing at least one business day before your service if scheduled three or more days in advance. To request an estimate, contact DoctorsNow at (515) 270-1000 or Privacy@doctorsnow.com. This helps you plan for your expenses and avoid surprises.
Contact Information for Billing Disputes
If you believe you've been wrongly billed, you can reach out to:
The federal Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-985-3059.
The Iowa Insurance Division at 515-654-6600 or iid@iowa.gov for state-specific help.
Additional Resources and Provider Policies
For more details, visit the CMS No Surprises Act page or the Iowa Insurance Division's page. DoctorsNow is in-network with many insurance providers, and for questions about network status or billing, contact their billing department at (515) 270-1000 or Privacy@doctorsnow.com. Iowa also has its own balance billing laws, so for more information, contact the Iowa Insurance Division.