Surprise bills and billing errors: where to start
Not every bad bill is an insurance denial. Some are billing errors or surprise bills from out-of-network providers.
General information, not advice about your case. These steps describe what public agencies and consumer groups commonly suggest. They are not legal, medical or insurance advice, and what applies to you depends on your state, plan, insurer and facts. Check your denial notice and plan documents, and consider asking a licensed attorney, your state insurance department, a patient advocate or your doctor before you act. Full disclaimer.
- Compare the provider's bill with your plan's explanation of benefits (EOB). Ask the provider for an itemized bill and whether a corrected claim can be sent.
- For surprise medical bills, the federal No Surprises Help Desk at 1-800-985-3059 can answer questions, help submit complaints, and refer you to a state consumer assistance program when available.
- If the insurer processed the claim wrongly, use the billing and processing appeal letter.
Related guides
- How to read a health insurance denial letter
- State insurance department complaints: what they can and cannot do
- Health insurance denial: first steps
- State insurance department directory
Sources
- CMS: Call the No Surprises Help Desk, last verified 2026-10-20
- CMS: Consumer Assistance Program directory, last verified 2026-10-20
Page last reviewed October 20, 2026. Rules change; confirm with your notice, plan documents or the agency pages above.