Solomon Copilot™Got a surprise medical bill?
A surprise bill, an unexpected out-of-network charge you couldn't reasonably have avoided, is often the most disputable bill you'll ever get. Here's what to do the moment it arrives.
Step one: don't pay yet
Surprise bills are frequently prohibited under the No Surprises Act, particularly for emergency care and for out-of-network providers at in-network facilities. Paying first makes recovery harder.
The steps
- Identify the situation. Was it emergency care, or an out-of-network provider at an in-network facility? If so, protections likely apply.
- Pull your EOB. Compare what's billed to your in-network cost-sharing.
- Request the itemized bill. Confirm the charges and codes.
- Dispute in writing. Cite the protection and request correction to your in-network responsibility.
- Escalate. Contact your insurer and, if needed, your state's consumer-protection resources.
Solomon flags potential surprise-billing and balance-billing situations on your bill and drafts a dispute letter that cites the applicable protection.
Stop guessing. See your bill, line by line.
Solomon scans every charge against current benchmarks, flags the errors and overcharges, and writes the dispute letter they will answer.
Analyze My Bill →Common questions
How do I know if my bill qualifies as a surprise bill?
Generally if it's for emergency care, or an out-of-network provider treated you at an in-network facility without your informed advance consent. Those situations are commonly protected.
What if I already paid a surprise bill?
You may still be able to seek a refund if the bill was prohibited. Document the situation, contact the provider and your insurer in writing, and reference the applicable protection.
Sources & further reading
Reviewed and updated 2026-05-31 by Nisha A. Kuttothara, J.D.