Last reviewed: October 29, 2026
Your right to a Good Faith Estimate
If you do not have health insurance, or you choose not to use your insurance to pay for therapy, federal law generally entitles you to a written Good Faith Estimate of the charges reasonably expected for your scheduled non-emergency care. An estimate is not a bill or a guarantee of what you will ultimately owe.
When will you receive it?
Scheduled 3–9 business days in advance: generally no later than one business day after scheduling.
Scheduled 10 or more business days in advance: generally no later than three business days after scheduling.
Requested without scheduling: generally within three business days after the request.
Scheduled fewer than three business days in advance: the automatic scheduling-triggered estimate requirement does not apply, but you may still request an estimate.
What it includes
Your estimate identifies anticipated items, services and expected charges and may include a projected course or recurring services, as applicable. If relevant expected charges or the scope of services materially change, an updated estimate may be required.
If your bill is higher than estimated
If the bill from a provider is at least $400 above that provider's Good Faith Estimate, you may be eligible for the federal patient-provider dispute resolution process. The process has eligibility requirements and filing deadlines; it does not mean every billing disagreement automatically qualifies.
Questions or estimate requests
Contact hello@lucymft.com for information about obtaining your estimate; do not send clinical details through an unsecured website contact form.
Learn more: https://www.cms.gov/initiatives/your-patient-rights/medical-bill-rights/know-your-rights/without-insurance
Authoritative rule: 45 CFR § 149.610 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-B/part-149/subpart-G/section-149.610)