Patient Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills

<!DOCTYPE html>     <html class="no-js" lang="en">  <head> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href=/assets/ucsf/main.css?v=40182074ecb56dad04debd94fedfc468 />  <script type="text/javascript" src="https://cdn.cookielaw.org/consent/15542477-8150-45a3-9953-e94fa799e80a/OtAutoBlock.js" ></script> <script src="https://cdn.cookielaw.org/scripttemplates/otSDKStub.js" type="text/javascript" charset="UTF-8" data-domain-script="15542477-8150-45a3-9953-e94fa799e80a" ></script> <script type="text/javascript"> function OptanonWrapper() { // Check if banner div is available if (document.getElementById('onetrust-banner-sdk')) { // Get the buttons and container var acceptBtn = document.getElementById("onetrust-accept-btn-handler"); var declineBtn = document.getElementById("onetrust-reject-all-handler"); var cookieSettingsBtn = document.getElementById("onetrust-pc-btn-handler"); var btnContainer = document.getElementById("onetrust-button-group"); // Set the order you want below... btnContainer.append(acceptBtn, cookieSettingsBtn, declineBtn) } } </script>   <script src="https://datalayer.ucsfhealth.org/ucsf-data-layer.js" defer></script>  <script src="https://datalayer.ucsfhealth.org/ucsfhealth-marketing-data-layer.js" defer></script>  <script type="text/plain" class="optanon-category-C0007" src="https://assets.adobedtm.com/db5f13cb240b/b1130ce1ceae/launch-db8f55f3e131.min.js" defer></script> <title>Patient Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills | UCSF Health</title> <link href="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/header/favicon-32x32.png?rev=e809a21b00b748a3abf7a90f0667e530" rel="shortcut icon" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.ucsfhealth.org/billing-and-insurance/no-surprises-billing-act" /> <meta content="Patients & Visitors" name="mainNavName" /> <meta property="fb:app_id" content="1162986667203299" /><meta property="og:description" content="You have rights and protections against balance billing and surprise billing when visiting a health care provider or facility that’s outside your plan’s network." /><meta property="og:type" content="article" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="ucsfhealth.org" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://www.ucsfhealth.org/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/article/hero/no-surprises-billing-act-1440x556-2x.jpg?rev=606dd95d68964fb8a954e606cabb864d" /><meta property="og:title" content="Patient Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills" /><meta property="og:url" content="https://www.ucsfhealth.org/billing-and-insurance/no-surprises-billing-act" /> <meta name="description" content="You have rights and protections against balance billing and surprise billing when visiting a health care provider or facility that’s outside your plan’s network." /> <meta property="twitter:site" content="@UCSFHospitals" /><meta property="twitter:image" content="https://www.ucsfhealth.org/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/article/hero/no-surprises-billing-act-1440x556-2x.jpg?rev=606dd95d68964fb8a954e606cabb864d" /><meta property="twitter:description" content="You have rights and protections against balance billing and surprise billing when visiting a health care provider or facility that’s outside your plan’s network." /><meta property="twitter:creator" content="@UCSFHospitals" /><meta property="twitter:title" content="Patient Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills" /><meta property="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"/> <link rel="manifest" href="/manifest.json" /> <meta name="format-detection" content="telephone=no"> <script type="application/ld+json"> {"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"Article","description":"You have rights and protections against balance billing and surprise billing when visiting a health care provider or facility that’s outside your plan’s network.","image":"https://www.ucsfhealth.org/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/article/hero/no-surprises-billing-act-1440x556-2x.jpg?rev=606dd95d68964fb8a954e606cabb864d","url":"https://www.ucsfhealth.org/billing-and-insurance/no-surprises-billing-act","author":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UCSF Health"},"dateCreated":"2024-07-08T23:06:15+00:00","dateModified":"2024-07-08T23:06:35+00:00","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UCSF Health","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://www.ucsfhealth.org/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/ezgifcom-gif-maker.png?rev=b49aee14cf934fb086632358c341cf97"}},"articleBody":"When getting emergency care or treatment from an out-of-network provider at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, the No Surprises Act – a federal law that took effect at the beginning of 2022 – protects you from balance billing and surprise billing.\nUnderstanding balance billing and surprise billing\nWhen you see a doctor or other health care provider, you may have certain out-of-pocket costs, including a copayment, coinsurance or deductible. You may have other costs or need to pay the entire bill if you see a provider or visit a facility that isn't in your health plan's network.\nOut-of-network providers and facilities are those that haven't signed a contract with your health plan. Balance billing occurs when out-of-network providers or facilities bill you for the difference between what your plan agreed to pay and the full amount they charge for a service. This payment might not count toward your annual out-of-pocket limit. Surprise billing is when you receive an unexpected balance bill.\nBalance billing and surprise billing can happen when you can't control who is involved in your care – such as when you need emergency services or schedule a visit at an in-network facility but unexpectedly receive treatment from an out-of-network provider.\nYou are protected from balance billing for emergency services as well as for certain services at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center.\nEmergency services\nIf you have an emergency medical condition and receive emergency care from an out-of-network provider or facility, the most the provider or facility may bill you is your plan's in-network cost-sharing amount (such as a copayment or coinsurance). You cannot be balance billed for emergency services. This includes care you get after your condition stabilizes, unless you provide written consent giving up your protections against being balanced billed for post-stabilization services.\nCertain services at an in-network health care facility\nWhen you get services from an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, some members of your care team may be out-of-network providers. In these cases, the most those providers can bill is your plan's in-network cost-sharing amount. This applies to providers in emergency medicine, anesthesia, pathology, radiology, laboratory services, neonatology, assistant surgeon services, and hospitalist or intensivist services. These providers can't balance bill you or ask you to give up your protections against balance billing.\nIf you get other services at in-network facilities, out-of-network providers can't balance bill you unless you provide written consent giving up your protections. There are no circumstances under which you are required to give up your protections from balance billing or get out-of-network care.\nCalifornia state law has similar protections to those of the No Surprises Act.\nProtections when balance billing is prohibited\nWhen balance billing is prohibited, you are responsible only for your share of the cost of the care you received. This may include the copayments, coinsurance and deductibles that you would pay with an in-network provider or facility. Your health plan will pay out-of-network providers and facilities directly, and you shouldn't have to pay out of pocket for more than your share of the cost.\nYour health plan generally must provide the following protections:\n\n Cover emergency services without requiring approval in advance (prior authorization)\n Cover emergency services by out-of-network providers\n Base what you owe the provider or facility (cost sharing) on what it would pay an in-network provider or facility\n Count the amount you pay for emergency or out-of-network services toward your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum\n\nIf you believe you were wrongly billed\nIf you believe you were wrongly billed for care you received from a UCSF Health facility, please send a billing inquiry through UCSF Health's MyChart.\nFor more information on your rights under federal law, visit the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' webpage about the No Surprises Act.\nFor more information on your medical billing rights under California state law, visit the California Department of Insurance's webpage about surprise medical bills or call the California Department of Managed Health Care at (888) 466-2219.","articleSection":"Article"} </script> </head> <body class="default-device bodyclass"> <a href="#content" class="skip-to-content">Skip to Main Content</a> <div id="wrapper">  <header> <div id="header" class="container-fluid"> <div class="component rich-text paragraph1 ie-warning-banner"> <div class="component-content"> <p> Looks like you’re visiting UCSF Health on Internet Explorer. For the best experience, try <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.google.com/chrome/" target="_blank">Chrome </a>or <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/" target="_blank">Firefox</a>.</p> </div> </div> <div class="component"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="component"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="nav-search-overlay"> <div class="search-content"> <div class="search-header"> <img src="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/images/logos/logo.png?h=76&iar=0&w=626&rev=d583395ce9c04ec6a83dff0c67ef2e4c&hash=661B5B6BDD2F563F400E662FE64AFB1B" alt="UCSF Health" width="626" height="76" /> <div class="search-close"></div> </div> <div class="search-form-wrapper"> <form data-autocomplete="/ucsfapi/search/getsuggestions" class="search-form display1" action="/search"> <div> <input aria-label="search text" type="text" name="searchterms" placeholder="What can we help you find?" autocomplete="off" /> <button aria-label="search" type="submit" class="icon-ui-search"></button> </div> </form> <div class="popular-searches autocomplete-results font-larger"> <div class="eyebrow">Popular Searches</div> <form action="/search"> <button class="paragraph1" name="searchterms" value="Find a Doctor">Find a Doctor</button> <button class="paragraph1" name="searchterms" value=" Refer a Patient"> Refer a Patient</button> <button class="paragraph1" name="searchterms" value=" Clinics"> Clinics</button> <button class="paragraph1" name="searchterms" value=" Conditions"> Conditions</button> <button class="paragraph1" name="searchterms" value=" Treatments"> Treatments</button> <button class="paragraph1" name="searchterms" value=" Locations & Directions"> Locations & Directions</button> </form> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="nav-wrapper"> <div class="top-nav-wrapper"> <div class="top-nav"> <div class="title"> <a rel="noopener noreferrer" title="University of California San Francisco" href="https://www.ucsf.edu/" target="_blank">University of California San Francisco</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="main-nav-wrapper"> <div class="main-nav container"> <input type="checkbox" id="mobile_nav_toggle" class="mobile-nav-check" aria-label="mobile_nav_toggle" /> <label class="mobile-nav-toggle" for="mobile_nav_toggle" aria-label="mobile_nav_toggle_label"> <div></div> </label> <div class="logo"> <a title="UCSF Home" href="/"><img src="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/ezgifcom-gif-maker.png?h=27&iar=0&w=150&rev=b49aee14cf934fb086632358c341cf97&hash=1AC27DE6EDF5C0B6D348A6BD0A43F39F" alt="" width="150" height="27" /></a> </div> <span aria-label="search" class="nav-search "><span class="icon-ui-search"></span></span> <div class="menu-content-wrapper"> <ul class="menu"> <li data-main-nav-name="Conditions & Treatments"> <a>Conditions & Treatments</a> <div class="sub-nav container"> <a href="#" class="sub-nav-close">Conditions & Treatments</a> <div> <a href="/treatments/responsive-neurostimulation" target="_self"> <img loading="lazy" src="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/images/navigation/responsive-neurostimulation-376x188-2x.jpg?h=376&iar=0&w=752&rev=7bc0bac0377344428084efa41ab4e936&hash=A66A813384EF7C69793C8691B939DA7C" alt="" width="752" height="376" /> <span class="eyebrow">EPILEPSY BREAKTHROUGH</span> <div class="paragraph1"> <p><span>Stopping Seizures Before They Start</span></p> </div> </a> </div> <div class="meta-links"> <div class="component-content"> <ul class="use-arrow-icon"> <li> <p><a href="/conditions">Find Conditions</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/treatments">Find Treatments</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://clinicaltrials.ucsf.edu" target="_blank">Clinical Trials</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/education">Patient Education</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/medical-tests">Medical Tests</a></p> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li data-main-nav-name="Doctors"> <a>Doctors</a> <div class="sub-nav container"> <a href="#" class="sub-nav-close">Doctors</a> <div> <a href="/doctor-stories/jasleen-kukreja" target="_self"> <img loading="lazy" src="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/images/navigation/jasleen-kukreja-376x188-2x.jpg?h=376&iar=0&w=752&rev=4c99176bf937490b84533ea4639c34a3&hash=A0AE58BF1530A6B90620551336B15D91" alt="" width="752" height="376" /> <span class="eyebrow">MEET OUR DOCTORS</span> <div class="paragraph1">Dr. Jasleen Kukreja and the Life-Saving Gift of Breath</div> </a> </div> <div class="meta-links"> <div class="component-content"> <ul class="use-arrow-icon"> <li> <p><a href="/find-a-doctor">Find a Doctor</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/doctor-stories">Doctor Stories</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/second-opinion">Get a Second Opinion</a></p> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li data-main-nav-name="Clinics & Locations"> <a>Clinics & Locations</a> <div class="sub-nav container"> <a href="#" class="sub-nav-close">Clinics & Locations</a> <div> <a href="/lp/precision-cancer-medicine-building" target="_self"> <img loading="lazy" src="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/images/navigation/pcmb-376x188-2x.jpg?h=376&iar=0&w=752&rev=22258558633e46a99e3c385cbd9a55c5&hash=05AAC46BF10ED201FACE98AB601B0F90" alt="" width="752" height="376" /> <span class="eyebrow">BAKAR PRECISION CANCER MEDICINE BUILDING</span> <div class="paragraph1">Care, Convenience and Support at New Cancer Facility</div> </a> </div> <div class="meta-links"> <div class="component-content"> <ul class="use-arrow-icon"> <li> <p><a href="/clinics">Find a Clinic</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/locations">Locations & Directions</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/list-of-clinics/urgent-care">Urgent Care</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/clinics/emergency-department">Emergency Care</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/about/our-affiliates">Partners & Affiliates</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ucsfbenioffchildrens.org/" target="_blank">UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals</a></p> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li data-main-nav-name="Patients & Visitors"> <a>Patients & Visitors</a> <div class="sub-nav container"> <a href="#" class="sub-nav-close">Patients & Visitors</a> <div> <a href="/your-hospital-stay/10-ways-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-ucsf-doctor-appointment" target="_self"> <img loading="lazy" src="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/images/navigation/10-ways-to-get-the-most-from-doctor-visit-376x188-2x.jpg?h=376&iar=0&w=752&rev=1199bec48a1f436e89d93f92a605fdae&hash=37D3E3AF37E3D449EC8779910E4D3D0A" alt="" width="752" height="376" /> <span class="eyebrow">KNOW BEFORE YOU GO</span> <div class="paragraph1"> 10 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Doctor’s Visit</div> </a> </div> <div class="meta-links"> <div class="component-content"> <ul class="use-arrow-icon"> <li> <p><a href="/your-hospital-stay">Your Hospital Stay</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/for-visitors">For Visitors</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/services/international-services">International Services</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/education/self-care-for-caregivers">For Caregivers</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/services">Support, Services & Groups</a></p> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="meta-links"> <div class="component-content"> <ul class="use-arrow-icon"> <li> <p><a href="/billing-and-insurance">Billing & Insurance</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/billing-and-insurance/help-paying-your-bill">Help Paying Your Bill</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/about/pricing-transparency">Pricing Transparency</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/about/our-340b-story">340B Drug Pricing Program</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/medical-records">Medical Records</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/services/patient-relations">Patient Relations</a></p> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li data-main-nav-name="Why Choose Us?"> <a>Why Choose Us?</a> <div class="sub-nav container"> <a href="#" class="sub-nav-close">Why Choose Us?</a> <div> <a href="" target="_self"> <img loading="lazy" src="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/images/navigation/usnews-376x188-2x.jpg?h=376&iar=0&w=752&rev=ceea5c834962474892a11e0877a76c60&hash=5FDAA3936F2E054CC1408DDD1B92EB2B" alt="" width="752" height="376" /> <span class="eyebrow">U.S. News Best Hospital Rankings</span> <div class="paragraph1">UCSF Health Ranked Among Nation's Top 10 Hospitals</div> </a> </div> <div class="meta-links"> <div class="component-content"> <ul class="use-arrow-icon"> <li> <p><a href="/about/our-mission">Our Mission</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a title="Quality of Patient Care" href="/about/quality-of-patient-care">Quality of Patient Care</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/patient-stories">Patient Stories</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/about/diversity-at-ucsf-health">Embracing Diversity</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/about/our-leadership">Our Leadership</a></p> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> <ul class="top-menu"> <li><a href="/refer-a-patient">Refer a Patient</a></li> <li><a href="/mychart">MyChart</a></li> <li><a href="/request-an-appointment">Request Appointment</a></li> <li><a href="/second-opinion">Get a Second Opinion</a></li> <li><a class="call-us">Call us: (888) 689-8273</a></li> </ul> <div class="mobile-nav-footer"> <a rel="noopener noreferrer" title="University of California San Francisco" href="https://www.ucsf.edu/" target="_blank">University of California San Francisco</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </header>   <main> <div id="content" class="container"> <div class="component article-hero basic-hero"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="hero-image"> <img src="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/article/hero/no-surprises-billing-act-1440x556-2x.jpg?h=1112&iar=0&w=2880&rev=606dd95d68964fb8a954e606cabb864d&hash=FDC303D7786B87C8F9E03360382B0A75" alt="" width="2880" height="1112" /> </div> <div class="hero-content"> <div class="eyebrow hero-breadcrumb"> <div class="component ucsf-breadcrumb"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="eyebrow article-breadcrumb"> <a href="/billing-and-insurance">Billing & Insurance </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="hero-badge-hero"> </div> <h1 class="hero-title display1"> Patient Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills </h1> </div> </div> </div><div class="component clinic-ctas no-links container"> <div class="component-content"> </div> </div><div class="component share-print-email container clinic-share"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="share-component"> <a aria-label="Print Page" href="#" rel="nofollow" class="icon-ui-print" title="Print"></a> <a aria-label="Share Page" data-email-body="Thought you might want to see this:" class="icon-ui-share" data-email-body="Thought you might want to see this:" data-email-subject="Take a look at this link from UCSF"></a> </div> <div class="clearfix"></div> </div> </div><div class="component article-intro column-layout col-2-66-33 container"> <div class="component-content col-2-80-20"> <div class="article-content left-col"> <div class="font-larger article-text rich-text"> <p>When getting emergency care or treatment from an out-of-network provider at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, the No Surprises Act – a federal law that took effect at the beginning of 2022 – protects you from balance billing and surprise billing.</p> <h2>Understanding balance billing and surprise billing</h2> <p>When you see a doctor or other health care provider, you may have certain out-of-pocket costs, including a copayment, coinsurance or deductible. You may have other costs or need to pay the entire bill if you see a provider or visit a facility that isn't in your health plan's network.</p> <p>Out-of-network providers and facilities are those that haven't signed a contract with your health plan. Balance billing occurs when out-of-network providers or facilities bill you for the difference between what your plan agreed to pay and the full amount they charge for a service. This payment might not count toward your annual out-of-pocket limit. Surprise billing is when you receive an unexpected balance bill.</p> <p>Balance billing and surprise billing can happen when you can't control who is involved in your care – such as when you need emergency services or schedule a visit at an in-network facility but unexpectedly receive treatment from an out-of-network provider.</p> <p>You are protected from balance billing for emergency services as well as for certain services at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center.</p> <h2>Emergency services</h2> <p>If you have an emergency medical condition and receive emergency care from an out-of-network provider or facility, the most the provider or facility may bill you is your plan's in-network cost-sharing amount (such as a copayment or coinsurance). You cannot be balance billed for emergency services. This includes care you get after your condition stabilizes, unless you provide written consent giving up your protections against being balanced billed for post-stabilization services.</p> <h2>Certain services at an in-network health care facility</h2> <p>When you get services from an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, some members of your care team may be out-of-network providers. In these cases, the most those providers can bill is your plan's in-network cost-sharing amount. This applies to providers in emergency medicine, anesthesia, pathology, radiology, laboratory services, neonatology, assistant surgeon services, and hospitalist or intensivist services. These providers can't balance bill you or ask you to give up your protections against balance billing.</p> <p>If you get other services at in-network facilities, out-of-network providers can't balance bill you unless you provide written consent giving up your protections. There are no circumstances under which you are required to give up your protections from balance billing or get out-of-network care.</p> <p>California state law has similar protections to those of the No Surprises Act.</p> <h2>Protections when balance billing is prohibited</h2> <p>When balance billing is prohibited, you are responsible only for your share of the cost of the care you received. This may include the copayments, coinsurance and deductibles that you would pay with an in-network provider or facility. Your health plan will pay out-of-network providers and facilities directly, and you shouldn't have to pay out of pocket for more than your share of the cost.</p> <p>Your health plan generally must provide the following protections:</p> <ul> <li>Cover emergency services without requiring approval in advance (prior authorization)</li> <li>Cover emergency services by out-of-network providers</li> <li>Base what you owe the provider or facility (cost sharing) on what it would pay an in-network provider or facility</li> <li>Count the amount you pay for emergency or out-of-network services toward your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum</li> </ul> <h2>If you believe you were wrongly billed</h2> <p>If you believe you were wrongly billed for care you received from a UCSF Health facility, please send a billing inquiry through <a href="/mychart">UCSF Health's MyChart</a>.</p> <p>For more information on your rights under federal law, visit the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' <a rel="noopener noreferrer" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises" target="_blank">webpage about the No Surprises Act</a>.</p> <p>For more information on your medical billing rights under California state law, visit the California Department of Insurance's <a rel="noopener noreferrer" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/110-health/60-resources/NoSupriseBills.cfm" target="_blank">webpage about surprise medical bills</a> or call the California Department of Managed Health Care at <a href="tel:8884662219">(888) 466-2219</a>.</p> </div> </div> <div class="article-info right-col"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="component content container"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="component article-cards cards-component col-xs-12"> <div class="component-content"> <div> <h2 class="heading1 title-anchor"> Recommended Reading </h2> <div class="view-all"> </div> </div> <div class="cards"> <div class="card"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="card-content"> <a href="/billing-and-insurance" class="phantom-link" title="Billing and Insurance"></a> <img loading="lazy" src="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/article/hero/billing-and-records-2x.jpg?h=376&w=974&rev=69209857c25641ad8d3f511ecd8ff407&hash=51C56BEF50CCA38605B84D95221A12DF" alt="" width="2880" height="1112" /> <p class="font-larger"> Billing and Insurance </p> <p> If you’re a patient at UCSF Health, we will submit a claim to your health insurance. Find out more. </p> <span class="field-read-more-link"> <span class="include-ucsf-arrow"></span> </span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="card-content"> <a href="/billing-and-insurance/help-paying-your-bill" class="phantom-link" title="Help Paying Your Bill"></a> <img loading="lazy" src="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/service/hero/help-paying-your-bill-2x.jpg?h=376&w=974&rev=64dcd857fb484ea088a9e83a0db5cd83&hash=2513062AAA044194785FC92100DD2344" alt="" width="2880" height="1112" /> <p class="font-larger"> Help Paying Your Bill </p> <p> Financial assistance is available to eligible patients for emergency and medically necessary care. Read the requirements and find out how to apply. </p> <span class="field-read-more-link"> <span class="include-ucsf-arrow"></span> </span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="card-content"> <a href="/billing-and-insurance/health-insurance" class="phantom-link" title="Health Insurance"></a> <img loading="lazy" src="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/article/hero/health-insurance-2x.jpg?h=376&w=974&rev=cfb4a6e5a82f48e1bfc237f767b9cb57&hash=8881631F71D1D0A2C9EE4180D8861C1C" alt="Health-Insurance-2x" width="2880" height="1112" /> <p class="font-larger"> Health Insurance </p> <p> See a list of insurance plans and programs accepted at UCSF Health and how to determine what kind of access to UCSF care your plan allows. </p> <span class="field-read-more-link"> <span class="include-ucsf-arrow"></span> </span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="card-content"> <a href="/billing-and-insurance/health-insurance-benefits" class="phantom-link" title="Health Insurance Benefits: Private & Public Plans"></a> <img loading="lazy" src="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/article/hero/health-insurance-benefits-2x.jpg?h=376&w=974&rev=fec9c338c7e944e585f827d8580717e3&hash=774807D140CBC29946BF211F6A8C52ED" alt="Health-Coverage-Background-2x" width="2880" height="1112" /> <p class="font-larger"> Health Insurance Benefits: Private & Public Plans </p> <p> Find detailed info about private plans, group plans, public health care plans, plans for people with pre-existing conditions, and public health coverage. </p> <span class="field-read-more-link"> <span class="include-ucsf-arrow"></span> </span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="card-content"> <a href="/billing-and-insurance/health-insurance-terms-and-definitions" class="phantom-link" title="Health Insurance Terms & Definitions"></a> <img loading="lazy" src="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/article/hero/health-insurance-terms-and-definitions-2x.jpg?h=376&w=974&rev=170ff0c0c3534d919151586fa32aa558&hash=F603B7CB0649F2DACD5E2BD350A6B560" alt="Glossary-2x" width="2880" height="1112" /> <p class="font-larger"> Health Insurance Terms & Definitions </p> <p> See patient-friendly definitions for words that refer to health insurance, from “co-payment” and “deductible” to “HMO,” “high-deductible,” “Medi-Cal” and more. </p> <span class="field-read-more-link"> <span class="include-ucsf-arrow"></span> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </main>   <footer> <div id="footer" class="container"> <div class="component footer-values col-xs-12"> <div class="component-content"> <div> <div class="component ucsf-values"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="container"><div class="title eyebrow field-eyebrow-text">Did you know?</div><h2 class="heading1 field-quote-text">UCSF designed its new state-of-the-art Precision Cancer Medicine Building to support patients through every step of their cancer journey. The building houses a centralized check-in, dedicated acute care clinic, support center and comfortable spaces for pop-up services, such as nutrition classes and art therapy.</h2><a href="/lp/precision-cancer-medicine-building" data-variantitemid="{640FF0A5-C439-497C-884F-329A8DC6EF22}" data-variantfieldname="Link" target="|Custom">Learn more</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="component footer-content col-xs-12"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="container"><div class="top-row"> <div class="component image file-type-icon-media-link logo"> <div class="component-content"> <img src="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/images/logos/logowhite.png?h=26&iar=0&w=141&rev=7a07669440bb454d9c7c3ef29f025f8b&hash=F3B696610C78F98E03B340A55F44AC06" alt="UCSF Health" width="141" height="26" data-variantitemid="{43F4CA98-D35D-4B36-8558-CADA034604A7}" data-variantfieldname="Image" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> <div class="top-social-row"> <div class="component link-list social-footer"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="eyebrow">Follow UCSF Health:</div> <ul> <li class="item0 odd first"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/UCSFMedicalCenter/" target="_blank" title="Facebook"><span class="icon-social-facebook"></span></a> </li> <li class="item1 even"> <a href="https://x.com/ucsfhospitals" target="_blank" title="X"><span class="icon-social-twitter"></span></a> </li> <li class="item2 odd"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/UCSFMedicalCenter" target="_blank" title="https://www.youtube.com/user/UCSFMedicalCenter"><span class="icon-social-youtube"></span></a> </li> <li class="item3 even"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ucsfhealth/" target="_blank" title="Instagram"><span class="icon-social-instagram"></span></a> </li> <li class="item4 odd last"> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/ucsfhealth" target="_blank" title="Linkedin"><span class="icon-social-linkedin"></span></a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="component row-splitter"> <div class=" footer-nav container-fluid"> <div class="row"> <div class="component link-list col-md-6 col-lg"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="eyebrow">Getting Care</div> <ul> <li class="item0 odd first"> <a href="/find-a-doctor" data-variantitemid="{1AC773C8-F17A-4A0B-9496-DE34B3FDA596}" data-variantfieldname="Link">Find a Doctor</a> </li> <li class="item1 even"> <a href="/clinics/emergency-department" data-variantitemid="{9AF6DB09-5E16-4E8F-AE94-621AFDFC7840}" title="Emergency Care" data-variantfieldname="Link">Emergency Care</a> </li> <li class="item2 odd"> <a href="/list-of-clinics/primary-care" data-variantitemid="{B7B3FA6B-B1BD-4342-8EAF-4B60DB4294CD}" title="Primary Care" data-variantfieldname="Link">Primary Care</a> </li> <li class="item3 even"> <a href="/clinics" data-variantitemid="{5A958CEB-5CC1-4ACA-9A21-8AD13E8349DD}" data-variantfieldname="Link">All Medical Services</a> </li> <li class="item4 odd"> <a href="/services/international-services" data-variantitemid="{BF8BF095-A11D-46C5-95FF-AC0B07430B42}" data-variantfieldname="Link">International Services</a> </li> <li class="item5 even"> <a href="/about/pricing-transparency" data-variantitemid="{3FD4811E-789A-4F66-8CBD-63505BDFC762}" data-variantfieldname="Link">Price Transparency</a> </li> <li class="item6 odd last"> <a href="/billing-and-insurance/help-paying-your-bill" data-variantitemid="{508725AA-61CE-4A59-92B6-7E494C6C8EB2}" data-variantfieldname="Link">Help Paying Your Bill</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="component link-list col-md-6 col-lg"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="eyebrow">Getting Involved</div> <ul> <li class="item0 odd first"> <a href="https://giving.ucsf.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-variantitemid="{29C54385-66F4-48A6-A7D3-905A0308F392}" title="Donate" data-variantfieldname="Link" target="_blank">Donate</a> </li> <li class="item1 even"> <a href="https://ucsfhealth.samaritan.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-variantitemid="{C534900F-91C6-4E07-85A7-2772BA5A67CB}" title="Volunteer" data-variantfieldname="Link" target="_blank">Volunteer</a> </li> <li class="item2 odd last"> <a href="/about/career-information" data-variantitemid="{509A4FEF-0D26-4AF6-9B81-9D3B10415AF4}" data-variantfieldname="Link">Join Our Team</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="component link-list col-md-6 col-lg"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="eyebrow">About Us</div> <ul> <li class="item0 odd first"> <a href="/locations" data-variantitemid="{F506296B-B7C2-4932-AA79-8ADBD7A5171F}" title="Locations & Directions" data-variantfieldname="Link">Locations & Directions</a> </li> <li class="item1 even"> <a href="/contact-us" data-variantitemid="{D776CD8C-2EF9-4B7F-AED1-394868315243}" data-variantfieldname="Link">Contact Us</a> </li> <li class="item2 odd"> <a href="/services/patient-relations" data-variantitemid="{9466A4FF-EEAE-47C6-8C3E-4486C4DEB05B}" data-variantfieldname="Link">Contact Patient Relations</a> </li> <li class="item3 even"> <a href="https://www.ucsf.edu/news-media/journalists " rel="noopener noreferrer" data-variantitemid="{E2BC6CAA-8F60-46D7-9AFC-BD58E1D88C66}" data-variantfieldname="Link" target="_blank">Media Resources</a> </li> <li class="item4 odd"> <a href="/services/accessibility-resources" data-variantitemid="{77A35480-B0AA-4719-807B-9342DB1F5184}" data-variantfieldname="Link">Accessibility Resources</a> </li> <li class="item5 even"> <a href="/about/sexual-harassment-reporting-and-nondiscrimination-notice" data-variantitemid="{F15D3356-2084-49E7-BBB2-C93F06E7ABC1}" data-variantfieldname="Link">Report Misconduct</a> </li> <li class="item6 odd"> <a href="/website-privacy-policy" data-variantitemid="{2BBA9C94-27D8-4C7D-BCFC-BFCF044153B4}" data-variantfieldname="Link">Website Privacy Policy</a> </li> <li class="item7 even"> <a href="/about/quality-of-patient-care" data-variantitemid="{4FB09E1E-BF44-4F5C-8A02-D4FB43FB5626}" title="Quality of Patient Care" data-variantfieldname="Link">Quality of Patient Care</a> </li> <li class="item8 odd"> <a href="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/pdf/crisis-standards-of-care.pdf?rev=0d122f1cc1f5437aada5361d5f3ca7dc&hash=6759377BF7908544EA7B188ADDC68A08" data-variantitemid="{90D74519-0779-4B00-BA3F-4AFB696BB4FC}" data-variantfieldname="Link">Crisis Standards of Care</a> </li> <li class="item9 even"> <a href="/about" data-variantitemid="{F3E86A44-0143-4054-87F5-BE4D58DD4999}" data-variantfieldname="Link">Our Organization</a> </li> <li class="item10 odd"> <a href="https://www.ucsf.edu/news" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-variantitemid="{5BC38D88-AC25-4465-9A7E-4333EC72E4AC}" data-variantfieldname="Link" target="_blank">UCSF News</a> </li> <li class="item11 even last"> <a href="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/pdf/ucsfhipaa-072021.pdf?rev=1ba3b481dc4a41fa9dbabb24299f34bb&hash=0E63FF00C4BDCB9C50A33177E30FC62F" data-variantitemid="{CCEAAE80-5B3C-4FCF-95AF-C9874F0DB3D8}" data-variantfieldname="Link">Notice of Privacy Practices</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="component link-list col-md-6 col-lg"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="eyebrow">Research and Education</div> <ul> <li class="item0 odd first"> <a href="https://clinicaltrials.ucsf.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-variantitemid="{6CBDBDFF-26BD-45A3-8F4B-6C7183A10749}" data-variantfieldname="Link" target="_blank">Clinical Trials</a> </li> <li class="item1 even"> <a href="https://www.ucsf.edu" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-variantitemid="{341E340D-5DEF-45BA-8E48-A5EE829E219B}" title="UC San Francisco" data-variantfieldname="Link" target="_blank">UC San Francisco</a> </li> <li class="item2 odd"> <a href="https://medschool.ucsf.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-variantitemid="{00E9070A-B2F5-44EF-B191-C7FBB0AD38B2}" title="UCSF School of Medicine" data-variantfieldname="Link" target="_blank">UCSF School of Medicine</a> </li> <li class="item3 even"> <a href="https://nursing.ucsf.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-variantitemid="{8DD32DF1-839D-4E91-9D76-4D67402FDBCB}" title="UCSF School of Nursing" data-variantfieldname="Link" target="_blank">UCSF School of Nursing</a> </li> <li class="item4 odd last"> <a href="https://pharmacy.ucsf.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-variantitemid="{81ED1BDE-45E1-4CD5-AB43-EC570F877DB9}" title="UCSF School of Pharmacy" data-variantfieldname="Link" target="_blank">UCSF School of Pharmacy</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="component link-list col-md-6 col-lg"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="eyebrow">Referring Physicians</div> <ul> <li class="item0 odd first"> <a href="/refer-a-patient" data-variantitemid="{2215C675-3589-49C1-8DB2-D9357C299CD1}" title="Refer a Patient" data-variantfieldname="Link">Refer a Patient</a> </li> <li class="item1 even"> <a href="/for-health-professionals/transfer-a-patient" data-variantitemid="{2CF89CF3-857D-4293-A6C3-AEACDFEE9F9F}" title="Transfer a Patient" data-variantfieldname="Link">Transfer a Patient</a> </li> <li class="item2 odd"> <a href="/mdlink" data-variantitemid="{F216922D-7B96-45DF-A6F2-29AB25B350F2}" data-variantfieldname="Link">MDLink</a> </li> <li class="item3 even"> <a href="/for-health-professionals/request-a-consultation" data-variantitemid="{9235B0AA-89B0-4E51-9C51-50388F4A46A5}" title="Request a Consultation" data-variantfieldname="Link">Request a Consultation</a> </li> <li class="item4 odd last"> <a href="https://medconnection.ucsfhealth.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-variantitemid="{1EE9F372-4A58-4089-A473-B4D3A89B1820}" data-variantfieldname="Link" target="_blank">Physician Channel</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class=" bottom-social-row container-fluid"> <div class="row"> <div class="component link-list social-footer"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="eyebrow">Follow UCSF Health:</div> <ul> <li class="item0 odd first"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/UCSFMedicalCenter/" target="_blank" title="Facebook"><span class="icon-social-facebook"></span></a> </li> <li class="item1 even"> <a href="https://x.com/ucsfhospitals" target="_blank" title="X"><span class="icon-social-twitter"></span></a> </li> <li class="item2 odd"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/UCSFMedicalCenter" target="_blank" title="https://www.youtube.com/user/UCSFMedicalCenter"><span class="icon-social-youtube"></span></a> </li> <li class="item3 even"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ucsfhealth/" target="_blank" title="Instagram"><span class="icon-social-instagram"></span></a> </li> <li class="item4 odd last"> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/ucsfhealth" target="_blank" title="Linkedin"><span class="icon-social-linkedin"></span></a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="component rich-text copyright"> <div class="component-content"> <span>© 2002 - </span><span>2024</span><span>. </span>The Regents of The University of California. </div> </div> <div class="component link-list footer-secondary-nav"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="eyebrow"></div> <ul> <li class="item0 odd first"> <a href="/website-privacy-policy" data-variantitemid="{EE28BB0F-74F0-4D51-8EBE-B6C670E33A04}" data-variantfieldname="Link">Privacy Policy</a> </li> <li class="item1 even"> <a href="/about/terms-of-use" data-variantitemid="{42863EE4-B140-4240-A7E0-A26699F458DC}" data-variantfieldname="Link">Terms and Conditions</a> </li> <li class="item2 odd last"> <a data-variantitemid="{7AC8FA1E-4CD5-4BAE-A3B4-F9722170203D}" data-variantfieldname="Link">Some stock photos, posed by model.</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </footer>  </div> <script src=/assets/ucsf/main.js?v=fc3da29fef15f42892385817411ce1b2></script> <div class="share-menu"> <span class="icon-ui-close"></span> <h4>Share</h4> <ul> <li class="email-link"> <a href="#"><span class="icon-ui-mail"></span> Email Link</a> </li> <li class="copy-link"> <span class="icon-ui-share"></span> Copy Link <span class="svg-ui-checkmark"></span> </li> <li class="facebook-share"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=" target="_blank" title="Share on Facebook" onclick="window.open('https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=' + encodeURIComponent(document.URL) + '&quote=' + encodeURIComponent(document.URL)); return false;"><span class="icon-social-facebook"></span> Share on Facebook</a> </li> <li class="linkedin-share"> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=" target="_blank" title="Share on LinkedIn"><span class="icon-social-linkedin"></span> Share on LinkedIn</a> </li> <li class="twitter-share"> <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=" target="_blank" title="Share on X"><span class="icon-social-twitter"></span> Share on X</a> </li> </ul> </div> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Patient Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills | UCSF Health