Effective Date: January 1, 2026
Last Updated: January 1, 2026
The No Surprises Act protects patients from certain unexpected medical bills and requires billing transparency, including Good Faith Estimates in some situations.
This page explains how shrinkMD follows the No Surprises Act and outlines patient protections related to billing transparency for telepsychiatry services.
This notice explains your rights if you are uninsured or self-pay and receive healthcare services through shrinkMD.
Our Practice Model
shrinkMD is a private-pay, virtual-only psychiatric practice.
- Services are provided via telehealth.
- shrinkMD does not operate physical facilities.
- shrinkMD does not submit claims to health insurance plans or government payors for services provided through the platform unless expressly stated.
- Emergency services are not provided through shrinkMD.
Because of this model, many traditional ‘surprise billing’ scenarios (such as out-of-network care at in-network facilities) do not apply; however, shrinkMD provides Good Faith Estimates to uninsured and self-pay patients as required by federal law.
Your Right to a Good Faith Estimate (GFE)
If you are uninsured or not using insurance, you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate of expected charges for healthcare services before they are provided.
The Good Faith Estimate will include:
- A description of the scheduled services
- The expected cost of those services
- Any reasonably anticipated additional charges related to your care
Good Faith Estimates are provided:
- When you schedule services, or
- Upon request
Under the No Surprises Act, patients who are uninsured or self-pay may be entitled to a Good Faith Estimate.
Pricing information is also made available on the shrinkMD website for transparency.
If Your Bill Is Higher Than the Good Faith Estimate
If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you have the right to dispute the bill through the Patient–Provider Dispute Resolution (PPDR) process administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
How the Dispute Process Works
- You must initiate the dispute within 120 days of receiving the bill.
- An independent reviewer will evaluate the dispute.
- If the reviewer agrees with you, you will only be responsible for the amount listed in the Good Faith Estimate.
- If the reviewer agrees with the provider, you may be responsible for the full billed amount.
How to Get Help or File a Dispute
For more information about your rights under the No Surprises Act, or to begin a dispute resolution:
- Federal Website: https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises/consumers
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 1-800-985-3059
You may also contact shrinkMD using the support options listed on our website if you have questions about your estimate or billing.
State Law Protections
Some states provide additional consumer billing protections. shrinkMD complies with applicable state laws in the states where services are offered.
Because shrinkMD operates as a private-pay telepsychiatry practice, state balance-billing frameworks applicable to insured or facility-based care generally do not apply. If state-specific disclosures are required, they will be provided as part of your intake materials or billing documentation.
No Retaliation
You will not be penalized or retaliated against for requesting a Good Faith Estimate or for initiating a billing dispute under the No Surprises Act.
