Emergency care and your bill.

Understand the setting.

• Independent freestanding emergency center: an emergency facility separate from a hospital campus. Verify the facility’s license and services.
• Hospital off-campus emergency department: an emergency department away from the main campus and operated as part of a hospital.
• Hospital emergency department: an emergency department on a hospital campus.
• Urgent care: a different type of setting for less severe conditions. Do not assume it has an emergency department’s resources.

Questions to ask about the care setting

• What kind of facility is this and who licenses or regulates it?
• Which services and clinicians are available, and when?
• How are transfers handled if additional care is needed?
• How will the facility and professional services be billed?

Questions to ask about the bill.

• Is this the facility bill, professional bill, or both?
• How does this amount compare with my explanation of benefits?
• Which benefit terms and network status were used?
• Is there a written explanation of any reduction or denial?
• What review, assistance or appeal process applies, and where are its instructions?

Check the protection that applies to your situation.

CMS provides information on federal surprise-billing protections and a help desk for questions. These protections depend on the service and coverage involved. This page does not determine coverage, staffing requirements or a particular legal outcome.

If this is an emergency.

Call 911 or seek appropriate emergency assistance. This website is not a triage service, a live availability checker or a way to choose care during an emergency.