What should I do if I receive an unexpected bill for a service I did not know was out-of-network?

If you receive an unexpected bill, which could be what’s referred to as a "surprise bill," for a service from a provider or facility that you did not know is not covered by your insurance plan, you can dispute the bill.

You can dispute an unexpected bill, referred to as a "surprise bill," for a service from a provider or facility that you did not know is not covered by your insurance plan. But first, it’s important to understand what a surprise bill is.

If you receive services from an in-network doctor or hospital, you may unknowingly receive care from an out-of-network provider during that time—resulting in a surprise bill. Usually, the out-of-network provider sends a bill to your insurance company, which pays a portion of the bill. The remainder of the bill is then sent to you.

To ensure a provider is in-network, check directly with your health insurance carrier. It is not a surprise bill if you chose to receive services from an out-of-network doctor instead of an available in-network doctor. You may have signed a written consent that you knew the services would be out-of-network, possibly resulting in costs not covered by your health insurance plan.