​The 'No Surprises Act' protects you from surprise bills when receiving​ care from an out-of-network provider.

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• You cannot receive a surprise bill for emergency services from an out-of-network hospital or freestanding emergency department, including services you receive after you're in stable condition.
• When you receive non-emergency services at an in-network facility, some doctors at the facility may be out-of-network. In these cases, the out-of-network doctors must bill you the same as you would pay for in-network situations.
• When you receive emergency services from an out-of-​network facility or non-emergency services from an in-network facility, a doctor who is not in your network might ​ask you to sign a form waiving your protections against surprise charges so they can charge you their full amount. You do not have to sign this estimate unless you willingly agree to their charges.
• If you self-pay, don't have insurance, or don't use your insurance, health care providers and facilities must give you a good faith estimate of what the expected cost will be to you. 
• Air ambulances cannot send you surprise bills.
  

Get free help with your health coverage! ​

The Maryland Insurance Administration has a Health Coverage Assistance Team (H-CAT) to assist consumers. If you have questions or concerns about health coverage for you or your loved ones, the H-CAT staff is here for you.