US Medical Term · administration
Surprise Bill
Factura Sorpresa
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Surprise Bill |
| Spanish (Español) | Factura Sorpresa |
| Chinese (中文) | 意外账单 |
| Korean (한국어) | 깜짝 청구서 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Hóa đơn bất ngờ |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Surprise Bill |
| Portuguese (Português) | Cobrança Surpresa |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | บิลค่ารักษาที่ไม่คาดคิด |
| Japanese (日本語) | サプライズ請求 |
What it means
A surprise bill is an unexpected medical charge a patient receives when they receive care from an out-of-network provider without knowing it — for example, when an out-of-network anesthesiologist assists during an in-network surgery, or when a patient is taken to an out-of-network ER during an emergency. The No Surprises Act, effective January 2022, restricts surprise billing in emergency situations and for certain ancillary services, requiring providers to charge only in-network cost-sharing rates and prohibiting balance billing in covered situations.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
I received a surprise bill from an out-of-network doctor who treated me during my emergency visit.
Recibí una factura inesperada de un médico fuera de la red que me atendió durante mi visita de emergencia.
Under the No Surprises Act, I should not be billed more than my in-network cost share for this service.
Bajo la Ley de No Sorpresas, no me deben cobrar más que mi parte del costo dentro de la red por este servicio.
I am disputing this surprise bill because I did not choose an out-of-network provider.
Estoy disputando esta factura inesperada porque no elegí un proveedor fuera de la red.
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Related guide
→ US Guide: no surprises actSources
Last reviewed: September 2026