Unexpected medical bills are one of the most common reasons people delay or avoid mental health care. If you have ever hesitated to book a psychiatric evaluation or therapy appointment because you were not sure what it would cost, you are not alone. Federal law now provides protections that may apply directly to covered mental health and psychiatric services, including care at Savant Care.
This article explains what the No Surprises Act covers, how it applies to psychiatry and therapy, and what you can expect when receiving care at Savant Care in California and Texas.
What Is the No Surprises Act?
The No Surprises Act (NSA) is a federal law that took effect on January 1, 2022. It was designed to protect patients from unexpected out-of-network charges, particularly in situations where patients had little or no control over which provider treated them.
Before this law, a common scenario played out like this: a patient would visit an in-network hospital or clinic, only to later receive a bill from an out-of-network provider who happened to be part of their care team. The patient had not selected that provider and did not know they were out-of-network.
The NSA closed many of those gaps. It may apply to individuals with individual or group health insurance, depending on your plan and situation. Some plan types are excluded, including Medicaid, Medi-Cal, health reimbursement arrangements, short-term plans, and retiree-only plans. Savant Care does not accept Medi-Cal or Medicaid.
How Does the NSA Apply to Psychiatric and Mental Health Care?
Certain covered mental health and psychiatric services may fall within the scope of the No Surprises Act. Here is how the law may apply in a behavioral health context:
Emergency Mental Health Services
If you visit a hospital emergency room or freestanding emergency facility for a psychiatric crisis, the NSA may protect you from being billed at out-of-network rates for covered services. Your cost-sharing, such as your copay or coinsurance, cannot exceed what you would pay for in-network emergency care. This protection applies regardless of which provider treats you.
Non-Emergency Services at In-Network Facilities
For scheduled appointments at in-network facilities, the NSA limits when out-of-network providers can bill you at higher rates. Certain ancillary services, including some diagnostic and laboratory services, are covered by the law even when provided by out-of-network specialists at an in-network site.
In a psychiatric context, this means that if you receive services at an in-network mental health facility and a provider involved in your care is out-of-network, you cannot automatically be charged out-of-network rates without your written, advance consent.
Air Ambulance Services
The NSA also covers emergency air ambulance transport, which may be relevant in situations involving acute psychiatric emergencies requiring transfer between facilities.
What Is a Good Faith Estimate?
One of the most practical protections under the No Surprises Act is the right to a Good Faith Estimate (GFE). This is a written estimate of your expected costs before you receive care.
Who Is Entitled to a Good Faith Estimate?
- Uninsured patients always have the right to a GFE for any scheduled service.
- Patients who choose to pay out of pocket, even if they have insurance, are also entitled to a GFE.
- Insured patients may request a GFE for non-emergency services, though the process differs slightly from the self-pay GFE.
What Must the Estimate Include?
A Good Faith Estimate should itemize the expected costs of the scheduled service, including fees for the evaluation, any recurring appointments, and related services. It must be provided at least one business day before the scheduled appointment.
What If the Final Bill Is Much Higher?
If your final bill is $400 or more above the amount stated in your Good Faith Estimate, you have the right to dispute the charge. Disputes must be filed within 120 days of the date on your bill. You can contact the No Surprises Help Desk at 1-800-985-3059 or visit cms.gov/nosurprises for instructions.
Savant Care discloses self-pay rates upfront. Many patients find that self-pay rates are comparable to or lower than their insurance copays and deductibles. Our standard out-of-pocket rate is $150 per appointment.
What This Means for Patients Booking at Savant Care
Savant Care operates in California and Texas. All providers are licensed in the state where they treat patients, which is a requirement under both state licensing law and the No Surprises Act framework.
Insurance Coverage
Savant Care is in-network with more than 22 insurance plans, including Anthem, Blue Shield of California, Aetna, Cigna, Optum/UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Most insured patients pay between $27 and $47 per visit.
Because each plan has different benefits, and because not all plans cover telehealth sessions in the same way, we encourage patients to verify their specific coverage before their first appointment. Our intake team can help with this verification.
Savant Care does not accept Medi-Cal or Medicaid. If you carry either as a secondary insurance, you are responsible for any charges not covered by your primary plan.
Self-Pay and Sliding-Scale Options
If you do not have insurance or prefer not to use it, Savant Care offers self-pay rates with no hidden fees. The standard rate is $150 per appointment. Because this rate is disclosed before you book, it aligns directly with the spirit of the Good Faith Estimate requirement under the No Surprises Act.
Savant Care is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Sliding-scale fees are available for patients who meet HHS poverty guideline thresholds. To find out if you qualify, contact community@savantcare.com.
Verifying Benefits Before Your First Visit
Our care coordinator team verifies your insurance benefits and provides a cost estimate before your first appointment. This process is designed to remove billing uncertainty so that cost concerns do not become a barrier to starting care, whether it's therapy or medication management.
Plans Not Covered by the No Surprises Act
Not all insurance products fall under NSA protections. The following plan types are excluded:
- Health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs)
- Plans made up entirely of excepted benefits
- Short-term or limited-duration health plans
- Retiree-only plans
- Plans with fewer than two current employee participants
- Medi-Cal and Medicaid
If you are unsure whether your plan falls under NSA protections, contact your insurance provider directly or call the No Surprises Help Desk at 1-800-985-3059.
Where to File a Complaint or Get More Information
If you receive a bill you believe violates the No Surprises Act, or if a debt collector contacts you about an unexpected medical charge, you have options:
- Call the No Surprises Help Desk: 1-800-985-3059
- Visit cms.gov/nosurprises for guidance on Good Faith Estimates, dispute rights, and complaint filing
- Contact your state insurance commissioner in California or Texas if you believe a state-regulated plan has violated billing rules
If you have questions about a bill from Savant Care, contact our billing team directly before initiating a dispute with your financial institution. We are available to review and clarify any charges.
Ready to Book Without the Billing Uncertainty?
Savant Care verifies your insurance benefits before your first visit and provides clear cost information upfront. Most insured patients pay $27 to $47 per visit. Self-pay patients pay $150 per session with no hidden fees.
We serve patients in California and Texas with in-person and telehealth appointments available, often within 2 to 3 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The NSA may apply to telehealth services covered by your health plan, provided the provider is licensed in your state. All Savant Care telehealth providers are licensed in California or Texas and treat only patients located in those states.
Savant Care is in-network with more than 22 major insurance plans. If your plan is one we accept, you will be billed at in-network rates. If your specific plan or coverage tier is out of network, our intake team will notify you before your first appointment. You will not be surprised by a higher bill after the fact.
If your plan denies all or part of a claim, you have the right to appeal. Your plan documents will outline the appeal process. The NSA also requires that plans providing emergency coverage cannot deny claims for emergency mental health services based on prior authorization requirements. You can contact your plan's member services for details on how to contest a denial.
Some insurance plans include carve-outs or special rules that affect which providers are in-network for specific services. This can happen even with major carriers. If you believe you have been billed incorrectly, contact Savant Care's billing team or reach out to Blue Shield directly to clarify your plan's terms.
Yes. If you are uninsured or paying out of pocket, you have the right to a written Good Faith Estimate before your appointment. Our standard self-pay rate is $150 per session, and this is disclosed before you book. Contact our team if you would like an itemized estimate in writing.
Get Started Today
- Book online: ibook.savantcare.com
- Call or text: (866) 499-2588
- Verify insurance: savantcare.com/insurance-coverage
Shebna N. Osanmoh I, PMHNP-BC is a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner with over 9 years of clinical experience. She specializes in the treatment of anxiety, depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and PTSD. She practices at Savant Care serving patients in California and Texas via telehealth.
Dr. Ellen A. Machikawa, MD reviewed this article for clinical and regulatory accuracy.
Sources
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. No Surprises Act. https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. No Surprises: Understand Your Rights Against Surprise Medical Bills. https://www.hhs.gov
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Medical Billing and the No Surprises Act. https://www.consumerfinance.gov