administration
Balance Billing
差額請求 (sagaku seikyū)
Balance billing occurs when an out-of-network provider bills a patient for the difference between their charge and the amount the insurer pays, in addition to any required cost-sharing. For example, if a provider charges $1,000 and the insurer pays $600, the provider may attempt to bill the patient the remaining $400 'balance.' The No Surprises Act (effective 2022) bans balance billing in most emergency situations and for certain non-emergency services by out-of-network providers at in-network facilities.
Patients who receive a surprise balance bill should contact their insurer and can file a complaint with the CMS No Surprises Help Desk.
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Balance Billing |
| Japanese (日本語) | 差額請求 |
| Chinese (中文) | 差额账单 |
| Korean (한국어) | 차액 청구 |
| Portuguese | Cobrança do Saldo |
| Spanish | Facturación del Saldo |
| Filipino | Balance Billing |
| Thai | การเรียกเก็บเงินส่วนต่าง |
| Vietnamese | Hóa đơn số dư |
| Romanization | sagaku seikyū |
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Browse US healthcare guides →Last reviewed: September 2026