Model Disclosure Notice Regarding Patient Protections Against Surprise Billing 

Instructions for Providers and Facilities 

(For use beginning January 1, 2022) 

Section 2799B-3 ofthe Public Health Service Act (PHS Act) requires health care providers and  facilitiestomake publicly available, post on a public website of the provider or facility (if  applicable), and provide a one-page notice that includes information in clear and  understandable language on:  

(1) the restrictions on providers and facilities regarding balance billing in certain circumstances, 

(2) any applicable state law protections against balance billing, and 

(3) information on contacting appropriate state and federal agencies in the case that an  individual believes that a provider or facility has violated the restrictions against balance billing. 

Health care providers and facilities may, but aren’t required to, use this model notice to meet  these disclosure requirements. To use this document properly, the provider or facility should review and complete it in a manner consistent with applicable state and federal law. HHS  considers use of this model notice in accordance with these instructions to be good faith  compliance with the disclosure requirements of section 2799B-3 of the PHS Act and 45 CFR  149.430, if all other applicable PHS Act requirements are met.  

If a state develops model language for its disclosure notice that is consistent with section  2799B-3 of the PHS Act, HHS will consider a provider or facility that makes good faith use ofthe  state-developed model language to be compliant with the federal requirement to include  information about state law protections.  

Public Disclosure Requirements 

The disclosure notice must be publicly available, and (if applicable) posted on a provider’s or  facility’s public website.  

- To satisfy the public disclosure requirement, providers and facilities must prominently display a sign with the required disclosure information in a location of the provider or  facility, such as, where individuals schedule care, check-in for appointments, or pay bills, unless the provider doesn’t have a publicly accessible location.

The contents of this document do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any  way, unless specifically incorporated into a contract. This document is intended only to provide clarity to the public  regarding existing requirements under the law. 

- To satisfy the separate requirement to post the disclosure on a public website, the  disclosure or a link to the disclosure must appear on a searchable homepage of the  provider’s or facility’s public website. 

Who should get this notice 

In general, providers and facilities must give the disclosure notice to individuals who are  participants, beneficiaries, or enrollees of a group health plan or group or individual health  insurance coverage offered by a health insurance issuer, including covered individuals in a  health benefits plan under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, and to whom they  furnish items or services, and then only if such items or services are furnished at a health care  facility, or in connection with a visit at a health care facility. 

Provision of the notice 

Providers and facilities must provide the notice in-person, by mail, or via email, as selected by  the individual. The disclosure notice must be limited to one-page (double-sided) and must use a  font size of 12-points or larger.  

Providers and facilities must issue the disclosure notice no later than the date and time on  which they request payment from the individual (including requests for copayment or  coinsurance made at the time of a visit to the provider or facility). Ifthe provideror facility doesn’trequest payment from the individual, the notice must be provided no later than the  date on which the provider or facility submits a claim for payment to the plan or issuer.  

Language access 

Use of Plain Language 

Health care providers,facilities, plans, and issuers are encouraged to use plain language in the  disclosure notice and test the notice for clarity and usability when possible.  

Plain language, accessibility, and language access resources: 

- Plainlanguage.gov/guidelines 

- Section508.gov 

- LEP.gov 

Compliance with Federal Civil Rights Laws 

Entitiesthat receive federal financial assistance must comply with federal civil rights laws that  prohibit discrimination. These laws include section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, Title VI of  the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Section 1557 and  title VI require covered entities to take reasonable steps to ensure meaningful access to  individuals with limited English proficiency, which may include offering language assistance  services such as translation of written content into languages other than English. 

Section 1557 and section 504 require covered entities to take appropriate steps to ensure  effective communication with individuals with disabilities, including provision of appropriate  auxiliary aids and services. Auxiliary aids and services may include interpreters, large print  materials, accessible information and communication technology, open and closed captioning,  and other aids or services for persons who are blind or have low vision, or who are deaf or hard  of hearing. Information provided through information and communication technology also  must be accessible to individuals with disabilities, unless certain exceptions apply. Providers and facilities are reminded that the disclosure notice must comply with applicable state or  federal language-access standards. 

NOTE: The information provided in these instructions is intended to be only a general summary  of technical legal standards. It is not intended to take the place of the statutes, regulations, or  formal policy guidance on which it is based. Refer to the applicable statutes, regulations, and  other interpretive materials for complete and current information. 

Do not include these instructions with the disclosure notice provided to patients. 

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement 

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a  collection of information unless it displays a valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0938-XXXX.  The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 3.5 hours per  response, including the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather the  data needed, and complete and review the information collection. If you have comments  concerning the accuracy of the time estimate(s) or suggestions for improving this form, please  write to: CMS, 7500 Security Boulevard, Attn: PRA Reports Clearance Officer, Mail Stop C4-26- 05, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850.