The short answer

What is a Good Faith Estimate, and will I get one?

A Good Faith Estimate (GFE) is a written estimate of expected costs for health care, required under the federal No Surprises Act. It's primarily for people who are uninsured or who choose not to use insurance — it tells them, up front, what care is likely to cost. If you're using insurance like NYSHIP / The Empire Plan, your cost information generally comes through your plan benefits instead, which we verify for you for free.

The short version

The Good Faith Estimate (GFE) comes from a federal law called the No Surprises Act, which took effect in 2022. Its goal is simple: people should be able to see what health care is likely to cost before they receive it, so there are no surprise bills.

Who receives a Good Faith Estimate?

A GFE is primarily for people who are uninsured or who are self-paying (choosing not to bill insurance). In those cases, the provider gives a written estimate of the expected cost of services up front.

If you're using insurance — like NYSHIP / The Empire Plan — your cost information generally comes through your insurance benefits rather than a GFE. That means your copay and coverage are what determine your cost, and you'll know those before you begin.

How this works at our practice

Because we specialize in NYSHIP and The Empire Plan, most of our clients use insurance — so the most relevant thing for you is a free benefits verification. We confirm your copay and coverage in plain language and bill your plan directly. You can read more on our NYSHIP & Empire Plan insurance page.

  • Using insurance? We verify your NYSHIP / Empire Plan benefits for free and tell you your expected copay up front.
  • Not using insurance? You're entitled to a Good Faith Estimate of expected costs before you begin care.

Why this matters

The whole point is transparency and peace of mind. Whether through your insurance benefits or a Good Faith Estimate, you have the right to understand what therapy will cost before you start — so you can focus on getting support, not worrying about a surprise bill.

Want a clear picture of your costs first?

We'll verify your NYSHIP / Empire Plan benefits for free and explain exactly what to expect before your first session.

Book a Consultation

This article is general educational information, not insurance, legal, or financial advice. Your rights under the No Surprises Act and the details of any Good Faith Estimate depend on your individual circumstances. For insured clients, we verify your exact benefits for free before you begin.