BestLife Counseling, Consulting and Training’s offices are located on a working equestrian facility at Horselife Farm, inc.
Horselife provides horses for equine assisted therapy and a highly therapeutic environment.
Counseling may be provided in an outside environment on a working farm so confidentiality may not be guaranteed. Horselife offers horseback riding lessons throughout the day which means that there are other clients on property. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns about this.
We will give all clients instructions on parking and waiting areas prior to their first appointment.
Additionally, please be aware of potential allergies with horses, hay, and dust.
Horselife Farm is a dog free facility, meaning no personal dogs may be allowed on property.
Horselife Covid-19 Policies:
Winter is here and we are seeing the rise in Covid positives. I wanted to update you all on HORSELIFE FARM's covid policy:
If you have TESTED POSITIVE:
you need to stay away from the barn 10 days from Positive test or ONSET of Symptoms
If you have BEEN EXPOSED CLOSELY (close contact) to someone with a positive test:
You need to wait 3-5 days and take the test (rapid test is fine)
Wait 6 days of no symptoms (you can come to barn on the 6th day).”
Process of Therapy, Evaluation and
Treatment Planning
Risks and Benefits of Therapy. Therapy inherently brings with it many risks and benefit. Some of the risks of therapy include feelings of being uncomfortable with the levels of anger, sadness, grief, frustration and anxiety that may occur when delving into difficult topics throughout therapy. Clients may experience unpleasant memories that could temporarily cause discomfort with family, work, or other relationships. Although there are several risk factors to therapy there are many areas of benefits that may outweigh the anxiety over potential risks. The benefits of therapy such as individuals who are sad/depressed may find their moods increasing. Others may no longer feel afraid, angry, or anxious. In therapy, people have a chance to talk things out fully until their feelings are relieved or the problems are solved. Clients' relationships and coping skills may improve greatly and find that they get more satisfaction out of their relationships. Clients are also able to identify their goals and work towards bettering themselves and their relationships.
Discussion of Treatment Planning. During the first session and throughout this process, I will discuss with you your understanding of the problem, treatment plan, therapeutic objectives, and your view of the possible outcomes of treatment. During our first 3-4 sessions, I will be getting to know you and evaluated your needs as well as my ability to meet those needs. The first session will focus mostly on history and current situation. The following sessions, may include structured assessments to determine the severity of your presenting problem. If at any time, I feel your needs are better served by someone else or a different level of care, I will discuss it with you, make recommendations and provide a referral.
If you have any unanswered questions about any of the procedures used in the course of your therapy, their possible risks, my expertise in employing them, or about the treatment plan, please ask and you will be answered fully. You also have the right to ask about other treatments for your condition and their risks and benefits. You may experience uncomfortable feelings at times. On the other hand, experiencing these uncomfortable feelings and learning to tolerate distress can have long term benefits and can result in overall reductions in levels of distress.
You should be aware that there are alternative types of services than those being offered by me. You may prefer to get counseling from someone other than me. You also have the choice not to obtain counseling services. There are risks and benefits associated with alternatives and with not pursing any counseling. To the extent that you are interested in alternatives, you should discuss this me. I would be happy to give you the names of other mental health professionals who might meet your needs.
Appointments, Fees, and Payment
Policy
Please arrive promptly for all appointments. Our practice management system sends out an email reminder for all appointments 48 hours in advance.
The fee for the initial session and subsequent sessions vary by services rendered. Clients are asked to pay at the time services are delivered. We are in-network with United Healthcare. However, if we are out of network with your provider we would be happy to provide clients with a Superbill to submit to their insurance company for reimbursement as an out-of-network provider. Please check with your insurance provider about out-of-network coverage for mental health services.
Consultation session is free of charge for 20 minutes
Individual psychotherapy sessions are $140 per session for 50 minutes
Family sessions are $165 per session for 90 minutes
Couple sessions are $140 per session for 50 minutes and $165 per session for 90 minutes
Group sessions are $65 per session for 50-90 minutes
Equine Assisted therapy sessions are $140-$165 per session for 50-90 minutes
Performance Coaching sessions are $140-$165 per session (optional packages available)
Supervision sessions are $80 per hour per supervisee for supervision session (individual or group) – individual supervision consists of 2 supervisees, group consists of 3 or more supervisees.
Consultation fees are determined based on request
Telephone calls exceeding 15 minutes will be prorated according to the regular session fee
The providers accept check, credit/debit card, and Venmo as methods of payment.
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You understand that you are fully responsible for any and all payments for services received
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Full payment is expected at the time services are rendered unless previous arrangements with the counselor have been made.
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You understand that treatment may be suspended and/or terminated if payment is not received
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You understand you will be responsible for all bank fees associated with returned checks
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You understand you will be charged a full session fee for every no show or cancellations made with less than 24 hour notice.
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After a no show, a client is contacted and informed they have missed an appointment and must pay the session fee prior to scheduling their next appointment.
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If you are more than 15 minutes late, you will be responsible for the full session fee prior to scheduling your session.
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Therapy hours vary during the week. We provide full time voice mail, but you may not be able to reach your Clinician if he or she is out of the office or seeing other clients. Every effort will be made to return your call as soon as possible. If you are difficult to reach, please inform us of times you might be available. We do not provide emergency services (see Emergency Care and Crisis Situation).
Cancellation Policy
Once a given time is allocated for a session, another client cannot easily fill this time slot on short notice. If you must cancel your appointment, please contact your Clinician as soon as possible. It is our policy to charge a normal session fee for appointments that are not cancelled at least 24 hours in advance. It is the client’s responsibility to leave notice of cancellation on our voice mail or via text, which will note the day & time you called. Your communication with us about appointment cancellations allows us to offer that time to other clients who need to be seen. Repeat cancellations, even with notice, will be discussed, and might signal the need to end therapy.
Notice Of Privacy Policies
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Federal law, HIPAA, provides privacy protections for medical records and new client rights with regard to the use and disclosure of your Protected Health Information (PHI) used for the purpose of treatment, payment and health care operations. HIPAA requires we provide you with a Notice of Privacy Practices (the Notice) for use and disclosure of PHI for treatment, payment, and health care operations. The Notice, which is contained within this agreement, explains HIPAA and its application to your personal health information in greater detail. The law requires we obtain your signature acknowledging we have provided you with this information at the end of this session.
Confidentiality
Texas law protects the privacy of communications between a client and your clinician. Every effort will be made to keep your evaluation and treatment strictly confidential. In most situations we will only release information about your treatment to others if you sign a written authorization form that meets certain legal requirements.
In the following situations, authorization is not required:
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Clinical information about your case may be shared fully with support staff for purposes of supervision where applicable. If case information is presented at professional conferences, the information will be disguised so that it is impossible to link the information to you or your family.
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Personal information is also shared for administrative purposes such as scheduling, billing, and quality assurance. Client files are also available to insurance company auditors. Data contained in your file is available for archival research (i.e., reviews of records to describe referrals, outcomes, and trends) as long as your identity cannot be linked to the data used. All staff members have been given training about protecting your privacy and have agreed not to disclose any information without authorization or approval by your clinician in mandated reporting situations (see Limits to Confidentiality).
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On occasion, your clinician may find it helpful to consult with another health or mental health professional. During such a consultation, every effort is made to avoid revealing the identity of the client. The other professional is legally bound to keep the information confidential. If you do not object, it is our policy to tell you about such consultations only if it is important to you and your clinician working together. All consultations are noted in the client’s record.
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Disclosures required by health insurers or to collect overdue fees are discussed elsewhere in this agreement.
Limits of Confidentiality
The limits to confidentiality in the state of Texas are:
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When there is a suspicion of child abuse and/ or abuse or neglect of vulnerable adults.
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If there is suspicion of serious threat of harm to self or harm to others which would affect the health and safety of either yourself and/or others.
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With written authorization of the client or, in the case of death or disability the individuals’ representative.
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If the client waives privilege by bringing charges against the Clinician
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Ordered by the court to disclose information
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For consultation with other professionals
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To contact the clients for appointment reminders or information to assist with health care treatments
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To bill and collect payments from clients
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To contact the identified emergency contact person if it is determined if the client’s safety is at risk
If any of these situations arise, your clinician will make every effort to fully discuss it with you before taking action, and will limit disclosure to what is necessary.
Minor clients should understand their parents have the right to access their records and to be informed of their progress in counseling. Any behavior in minors considered detrimental to the safety of the minor or others will be shared with their parent(s) and/or guardian.
If participating in a group, confidentiality for all group members is required but it cannot be guaranteed.
Counseling may be provided in an outside environment on a working farm so confidentiality may not be guaranteed
Illegal drugs and weapons of any kind are not allowed. If it is believed a client is in possession of either, the local police may be called.
While this written summary of exceptions to confidentiality should prove helpful in informing you about potential problems, it is important that you discuss any questions you have with us now or in the future. The laws governing confidentiality can be quite complex. In situations where specific advice is required, formal legal advice may be needed.
Confidentiality Considerations for Minors,
Couples and Groups
Minors and Parents
Please be informed that according to Texas law, any person with legal rights pertaining to a child (e.g., legal guardian or non-custodial parent) may have the legal right to terminate the child’s therapy unless that person has given his/her signed informed consent. As stated earlier, your clinician will honor requests for information by a legal guardian of a minor child.
Clients under 18 years of age who are not emancipated from their parents should be aware that the law allows parents to examine their clinical records. Because privacy in psychotherapy is often crucial to successful progress, particularly with teenagers, it is your clinician’s policy to request an agreement from parents that they consent to give up their access to their child’s records. If parents agree, the clinician will provide them only with general information about the progress of the child’s treatment and his/her attendance at scheduled sessions. Parents may be provided a summary of their child’s treatment when it is complete. Other communications will require teenager assent, unless your clinician feels it is a crisis situation including personal risk or physical danger to the minor. If possible, such disclosures will be discussed beforehand with the teenager to minimize his/her objections and concerns.
Consistent attendance is very important for effective therapy. I will schedule follow up sessions directly with your child. It is your responsibility to check in with your child or the therapist to know when the next scheduled therapy session takes place. BestLife providers do their best to schedule all therapy sessions at a consistent day and time each week.
We believe it is best to identify and resolve potential parental agreements before treatment begins. Therefore, it is our policy to treat minors only with the consent of both parents, to the extent both are available. If both are available but cannot reach agreement about treatment and access to records, it is the responsibility of the parents to resolve their differences through a court hearing prior to instituting treatment.
If one parent is unavailable and we determine that it is appropriate to proceed with the consent of only parent, the absent parent will have the right to the child’s treatment records upon request while the child is a minor unless there is a court order to the contrary. If the continuation of treatment becomes an issue, it is the responsibility of the parents to resolve the disagreement in court.
In Texas all information regarding your child’s therapy file is considered privileged and therefore can only be released in limited circumstances. If there is a dispute about whether your child’s privileged records should be released, the court must determine what is in the child’s best interests. It is your responsibility to ensure that this issue is brought to the court’s attention. As your child’s therapist, I will be unable to provide therapy files or information to anyone until the court has determined what is the child’s best interest.
Upon turning 18, the child gains control over treatment, information and records.
FOR MATURE MINORS
Because you are a minor (under the age of 18), I cannot treat you without parental consent. Parental control over your treatment includes the right to access and release your medical records.
In very limited circumstances, a minor may prevent parental access to treatment records through a court hearing. In the event, you object to either parent having access to your treatment records, I encourage you to raise this issue with your other parent or with a guardian ad-litem, if one has been appointed.
Couples
Treatment records of couples sessions contain information about each person. Both clients should be aware that either person has a right to obtain treatment records. If one of you requests your records, it is my policy to notify the other member of the couple and to afford that individual an opportunity to receive a copy of the records as well.
Group
Unlike individual treatment, confidentiality of group therapy is not privileged, and therefore not protected by law. Group members must sign and abide by a written confidentiality agreement prior to participating in the group. Clients with concerns about confidentiality should discuss them prior to beginning treatment.
Client Rights
Your rights as a client are highly important to have productive and ethical therapy. Below is a list of your rights as a client at BestLife Counseling, Consulting and Training PLLC:
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You have a right to participate voluntarily in and to consent to treatment.
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You have a right to participate in developing an individual plan of treatment.
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You have a right to receive clinically appropriate care and treatment that is suited to their needs and skillfully, safely, and humanely administered with full respect for their dignity and personal integrity.
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You have a right to be treated in a manner, which is ethical and free from abuse, discrimination, mistreatment, and/or exploitation.
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You have a right to object to, or terminate, treatment. If you are uncomfortable with the therapy you can choose to stop treatment at any time.
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You have a right to have access to one’s records.
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You have a right to request a change in Clinician. If the Clinician does not fit right you can ask for a referral for a different Clinician who can meet your needs.
Dual Relationships
This is a small world and we may see each other in the community. If we see each other outside of the office, we will smile, but leave it up to you to say hello or acknowledge us. Not all dual relationships are unethical or avoidable. However, sexual involvement between Clinician and client is never part of the therapy process as well as other actions or dual relationship situations that might impair your Clinician’s objectivity, clinical judgment, or therapeutic effectiveness or that could be exploitative in nature.
In addition, we will never acknowledge working therapeutically with anyone without his/her written permission. In some instances, even with permission, we will preserve the integrity of our working relationship. For this reason we will not accept any invitations via social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin or Pinterest, nor will we respond to blogs written by clients or accept comments on our blog from clients.
Emergency and Crisis Situations
Your clinician is not able to provide emergency services or psychiatric medications. Individuals who need substantial case management, on-going medication adjustments, and/or emergency clinician access because of psychiatric difficulties are generally only appropriate for therapy during times of stability in their illness.
Clients who are experiencing a crisis are encouraged to discuss this with their clinician as soon as possible so a crisis plan can be developed. A crisis may be generally defined as a situation or period in which the person’s usual coping resources fail, and they experience a state of psychological disequilibrium in which they may be at risk for impulsive or harmful behavior. There are many examples of crisis situations, which may include: a client who is struggling with suicidal thoughts, a teenager who under distress runs away from home, a psychotic client who experiences severe symptoms such as hallucinations or paranoia because they have discontinued medications, and an client who relapses to uncontrolled drug/alcohol use with danger of overdose or serious harm. Such clients may or may not constitute an imminent danger to themselves or others; nevertheless, sometimes a judgment must be made to protect the client.
It is your clinician’s policy, to which you consent as a client, to provide conservative treatment during a crisis situation. Your clinician will work with you to establish a plan to restore normal functioning as soon as possible. In addition to coping skills and possible environmental changes, this may include consultation with your physician, or if necessary, a family member or significant others. Your clinician may divulge your client status and the minimal treatment information necessary to protect you during a crisis period. The need for such action will be discussed with you beforehand if at all possible. This exception to normal confidentiality would remain in effect until the crisis is over or your care has been successfully transferred to another mental health provider or treatment program. This crisis policy requires you trust in our professional judgment to balance risks with your rights to confidentiality.
In times that your clinician is unreachable the client who is in an emergency is instructed to contact their physician or other community resources directly such as 911 or MHMR Crisis Line (800-762-0157).
Professional Records
The laws and standards of the counseling profession require that your clinician keep Protected Health Information (PHI) about you in your clinical record. Generally, you may examine and/or receive a copy of your clinical record if you request it in writing. There are a few exceptions to this access: 1) some of the unusual circumstances described above, 2) when the record makes reference to another person (other than a health care provider) and we believe that access is reasonably likely to cause substantial harm to that other person, or 3) where information has been supplied confidentially by others. Your clinician keeps no additional notes (sometimes called psychotherapy or process notes) beyond the clinical record. In most circumstances, your clinician is allowed to charge a copying fee for re-producing your records. If your clinician refuses your request for access to your records, you have the right of a review of this decision (except for information supplied confidentially by others), which your clinician will discuss with you upon request.
HIPAA provides you with several expanded rights with regard to your clinical records and disclosures of protected health information. These rights include requesting your clinician amend your record; requesting restrictions on what information from your clinical records is disclosed to others; requesting an accounting of most disclosures of protected health information that you have neither consented to nor authorized; determining the location to which protected information disclosures were sent; having any complaints you make about your clinicians policies and procedures recorded in your records; and the right to a paper copy of this Agreement and the privacy policies and procedures included herein. Your clinician will be happy to discuss any of these rights with you
Legal Proceeding
If you are involved in, or anticipate being involved in, legal or court proceedings, please notify me as soon as possible. It is important for me to understand how, if at all, your involvement in legal proceedings might affect our work together. In the event you are seeing me because you have been asked to obtain an evaluation for a legal proceeding, it is important for you to know the difference between treatment and an evaluation, and that treatment is not a substitute for an evaluation. Treatment is also not an appropriate way to obtain evaluation results. If you need an evaluation I will assist you to find a provider who offers this service.
It is also important for you to know your therapist will not be a party to any legal proceedings against current or former clients. We will work with you to support treatment goals, not to address legal issues that require an adversarial approach.
Clients entering treatment are agreeing to not involve us in legal or court proceedings or attempt to obtain treatment records for legal or court proceedings when marital or family counseling has not been successful at resolving disputes. This prevents misuse of your treatment for legal objectives.
In the event you do require my testimony or involvement in non-adversarial aspects for legal or court proceedings we will do so only with your consent. We will be unable to disclose any information pertaining to other family members or parties in counseling without their specific consent. Court appearances, either requested or subpoenaed, depositions and settlement conferences are billed at $650.00 for a half day (any appearance between 8:00 A.M. & 12:00 P.M. or between 12:00 P.M. and 5:00 P.M.) or $1300.00 for a full day (any appearance that crosses the noon hour).
Payment is due at least three business days in advance of the appearance.
Fees ($50) will be assigned for the therapist making calls, providing letters or emails to facilitate communication with attorneys or other third parties outside of session times. This fee will be added to the client's account and charged to the client's on file credit card.
Client Responsibilities
As a client, you agree:
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To keep regular appointments and actively participate in your treatment. If a client has not cancelled at least 24 hours in advance, client authorizes credit card on file to be charged the normal session fee. Clients will pay agreed upon fees upon evaluation and treatment at the time services are rendered or make arrangements to do so.
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To attempt any therapeutic assignments you agree to perform.
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To make a commitment to living and using counseling services and community resources to solve difficulties. You agree to disclose to your clinician whenever you feel in crisis and/or suicidal, to work with them to come up with a crisis plan, and to give your clinician discretion regarding needed disclosures in a crisis situation.
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To not come to counseling under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. If you appear intoxicated, at your clinician’s request, you agree to refrain from driving yourself. Failure to do so would require a DUI report.
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To never bring a weapon of any sort to this counseling center.
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To ask your clinician questions right away if you are uncertain about your evaluation, therapeutic process or any policy.
Filing a Complaint
If you feel your counselor has done something harmful or unethical and you do not feel comfortable discussing it with him/her, you can contact the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council, which oversees licensing, and they will review the services your clinician has provided
Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council
333 Guadalupe St., Ste. 3-900
Austin, Texas 78701
Tel. (512) 305-7700
1-800-821-3205 24-hour, toll-free complaint system
GOOD FAITH ESTIMATE TABLE OF SERVICES AND FEES
*The amount below is only an estimate; it isn’t an offer or contract for services. This estimate shows the full estimated costs of the items or services listed. It doesn’t include any information about what your health plan may cover. This means that the final cost of services may be different than this estimate.
Contact your health plan to find out how much, if any, your plan will pay and how much you may have to pay.
*Please note that Place of Service (in office vs. telemental health) is not delineated above since the charges are identical
BestLife Counseling, Consulting, and Training PLLC Services Practice Information:
ADDRESS: 875 Porter Rd, Bartonville, TX 76226
CONTACT PERSON: Rebecca Partridge, Ph.D., LMFT-Supervisor, Rebecca@bestlifecct.com
FEDERAL TAX ID: 87-0874700
GROUP NPI#: 1326714593
Disclaimer
This Good Faith Estimate shows the costs of items and services that are reasonably expected for your health care needs for an item or service. The estimate is based on information known at the time the estimate was created.
The Good Faith Estimate does not include any unknown or unexpected costs that may arise during treatment. You could be charged more if complications or special circumstances occur. If this happens, federal law allows you to dispute (appeal) the bill.
If you are billed for more than this Good Faith Estimate, you have the right to dispute the bill.
You may contact the health care provider or facility listed to let them know the billed charges are higher than the Good Faith Estimate. You can ask them to update the bill to match the Good Faith Estimate, ask to negotiate the bill, or ask if there is financial assistance available.
You may also start a dispute resolution process with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). If you choose to use the dispute resolution process, you must start the dispute process within 120 calendar days (about 4 months) of the date on the original bill.
There is a $25 fee to use the dispute process. If the agency reviewing your dispute agrees with you, you will have to pay the price on this Good Faith Estimate. If the agency disagrees with you and agrees with the health care provider or facility, you will have to pay the higher amount.
To learn more and get a form to start the process, go to www.cms.gov/nosurprises
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate or the dispute process, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost
Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.
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You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
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You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.
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If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.
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Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.