Action Plan: Planning care without health insurance
Your situation: You're planning to get care without health insurance
This action plan applies to you if:
- You're planning to get health care
- You're not using health insurance to pay for it
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Action Plan
Your care will be more expensive if you don’t use health insurance to pay for it. But you can learn about costs in advance and, if you qualify, apply for financial assistance. Here’s what you can do.
Before you get care without health insurance, check your coverage options.
Double-check what services your plan covers. You may have coverage for the care you need.
Contact your health insurance company. Ask if the provider you plan on using, or the type of care you need, is covered by your health plan.
Before you get care, ask your provider or facility for a good faith estimate.
A good faith estimate is a list of expected charges for health care items and services. Usually, providers must give you a good faith estimate if you aren’t using health insurance.
Keep your estimate. When you get care, compare it to your bill. If a provider charged you more than $400 over their estimate, you can dispute your bill.
Learn about good faith estimates
See if you qualify for financial assistance.
Nonprofit hospitals must give financial assistance to eligible patients who cannot afford to pay. If you got care elsewhere, they may still offer financial assistance.
Ask your health care facility’s billing department about financial help.
Still have questions? Find the answers you need in a way that works for you.
Call the No Surprises Help Desk
Get answers about the No Surprises Act. Call our Help Desk at 1-800-985-3059. We can help you in English, Spanish and over 350 other languages.
Find a patient advocate near you
Patient advocates can help you navigate the healthcare system. Work with an advocate to get the care and resources you need.
Page Last Modified:
08/25/2026 04:04 PM