Surprise bills and ambulance bills in New York
If you are insured, an out-of-network provider may bill you only your in-network cost sharing for emergency care (including inpatient care after an emergency room visit) and for a surprise bill: out-of-network care at an in-network hospital or surgery center, or a referral to an out-of-network provider without your written consent.
Checked against official sources: October 30, 2026.
What New York adds
- State law
New York Emergency Medical Services and Surprise Bills Law (Financial Services Law Article 6)
- Which plans it covers
Health insurance, HMOs, nonprofit plans, student health plans and municipal cooperative plans regulated by New York State. Starting August 26, 2026, the state employee plan (NYSHIP) is also included. Self-funded employer plans are not covered by the state law.
- What it adds
If you are insured, an out-of-network provider may bill you only your in-network cost sharing for emergency care (including inpatient care after an emergency room visit) and for a surprise bill: out-of-network care at an in-network hospital or surgery center, or a referral to an out-of-network provider without your written consent. If you are uninsured, you can use the state's independent dispute resolution process for a bill for emergency services you think is excessive, and for a doctor's bill at a hospital or surgery center when you did not get the required disclosures.
- Ground ambulance
The state protects you
If you have a state-regulated plan with comprehensive coverage, it must cover emergency ground ambulance services, its payment is payment in full, and the ambulance service may bill you only the copay, coinsurance or deductible under your policy. Transfers between facilities are covered only if your policy covers them.
Law: N.Y. Insurance Law 3216(i)(24), 3221(k)(15), 4303(aa)
Law: N.Y. Financial Services Law 603, 605, 606, 607
Itemized bills and price estimates in New York
New York law gives you a right to an itemized bill.
As a hospital patient, you have the right to receive an itemized bill and an explanation of all charges, and to examine and get an explanation of your bill no matter who pays it.
Law: 10 NYCRR 405.7(b)(19), (c)(16)
Price estimates
A doctor or other health care professional who is not in your plan's network must tell you before non-emergency care that you can ask for the amount or estimated amount they will bill you, and must give it to you in writing if you ask. Hospitals must post their standard charges and the plans they take. A hospital or provider may not require a credit card on file or credit card pre-authorization before emergency or medically necessary care.
Law: N.Y. Public Health Law 24; N.Y. General Business Law 519-a
Where to complain in New York
- Hospital bills and financial assistance: New York State Department of Health, Hospital Financial Assistance Law (HFAL)
A hospital did not follow the financial assistance law, for example it denied help it should have given, did not use the state application, or sued or sent you to collections against the rules. - Health insurance: New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) · (800) 342-3736
Problems with a state-regulated health plan, a surprise bill or an emergency bill, or to start the state independent dispute resolution process. - Attorney general: New York State Attorney General, Health Care Bureau and consumer helpline · 1-800-771-7755
A credit bureau, hospital, health care provider or ambulance service reported medical debt, a provider broke the medical credit card rules, or another consumer problem with a business or debt collector.
Free tools, letters and checklist
Questions about medical bills in New York
Am I protected from ground ambulance bills in New York?
If you have a state-regulated plan with comprehensive coverage, it must cover emergency ground ambulance services, its payment is payment in full, and the ambulance service may bill you only the copay, coinsurance or deductible under your policy. Transfers between facilities are covered only if your policy covers them.