Balance Billing Notice

Your Rights and Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills

At New England Baptist Hospital (NEBH), we make sure you have the financial resources you need to understand your rights and protect yourself from surprise bills.

What Is Balance Billing?

Out-of-network providers might bill you for the difference between what your plan pays and the total service charge. This is called “balance billing.” The amount is usually more than in-network costs for the same service and might not count toward your plan’s deductible or annual out-of-pocket limit.

“Surprise billing” is an unexpected balance bill. This can happen when you can’t control who is involved in your care — like when you have an emergency. Surprise medical bills can cost you thousands of dollars depending on the service.

Your Protections as a Patient

You are protected from balance billing in multiple situations, including:

• Emergency services: If you receive emergency services from an out-of-network provider or facility, you can only be billed for your plan’s in-network copayments, coinsurance and deductibles. This includes services you may get after you’re in stable condition, except under certain conditions. 
• Certain services at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center: Some providers at an in-network facility may have out-of-network providers. These providers can only bill you for your plan’s in-network cost-sharing amount. They also cannot ask you to give up your protections from balance billing.

Additional protections related to non-emergency services delivered by an out-of-network provider at an in-network facility may also be available to you depending on your insurance plan.

If you think you’ve been wrongly billed, you may contact the No Surprises Help Desk at 1-800-985-3059 or the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office at 888-830-6277. Get for more information about your rights under federal law.