Munish Lal MD PC / Interventional Spine Institute
Effective October 27, 2026
Your Right to a Good Faith Estimate
If you do not have health insurance or are not using insurance to pay for your care, you generally have the right to a written Good Faith Estimate of the expected charges before you receive care.
When you can receive an estimate
- If you schedule care 3–9 business days ahead, the estimate is due within 1 business day after scheduling.
- If you schedule care at least 10 business days ahead, the estimate is due within 3 business days after scheduling.
- You can request an estimate before scheduling. It is due within 3 business days after your request.
The estimate identifies expected charges for your scheduled care and related items or services. Ask each provider and facility involved in your care for its estimate; separate charges may apply.
If your bill exceeds the estimate
If a provider or facility bills you at least $400 more than its Good Faith Estimate, you may qualify for the federal patient-provider dispute resolution process. Generally, you must begin the dispute within 120 calendar days of the date on the initial bill. Keep a copy or photograph of your estimate and bills.
Request an estimate or get help
For an estimate from Munish Lal MD PC / Interventional Spine Institute, call (424) 254-3592 or email admin@munishlalmd.com. Please do not email medical records or sensitive health details.
For federal assistance, call 1-800-985-3059. Read CMS guidance on Good Faith Estimates or learn how to dispute a bill.
Your Rights and Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills
Federal law protects people with applicable group or individual health insurance from certain unexpected out-of-network medical bills. These protections apply to emergency care and certain services at in-network hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers.
What is balance billing?
An out-of-network provider or facility has no contract with your health plan. “Balance billing” means charging you the difference between the provider’s full charge and the amount your plan pays, in addition to your normal share of the cost. An unexpected balance bill is often called a surprise bill.
Emergency care
For covered emergency services from an out-of-network provider or emergency facility, you cannot be charged more than your plan’s in-network copayment, coinsurance and deductible. These protections generally continue after you are stabilized. An exception for certain post-stabilization services requires that all legal conditions are met, including proper notice and your voluntary written consent.
Care at an in-network hospital or surgical center
When you receive covered non-emergency care at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, an out-of-network provider generally cannot charge more than your in-network cost-sharing amount.
You cannot be asked to waive these protections for anesthesia, emergency medicine, pathology, radiology, laboratory, neonatology, assistant-surgeon, hospitalist or intensivist services. Protections also apply when no in-network provider can provide the service at the facility, or unforeseen urgent medical needs arise.
For some other services, an exception may be allowed only after proper advance notice and your voluntary written consent, and only where state law permits it. You never have to waive your protections or choose out-of-network care.
What your health plan must do
When these protections apply, your responsibility is limited to the applicable in-network cost sharing. Your plan generally must cover emergency services without prior authorization, calculate your cost sharing using the applicable in-network rules, explain it on your explanation of benefits, and count it toward your in-network deductible and out-of-pocket limit.
Additional California protections
California law also protects members of applicable state-regulated plans from surprise bills when an out-of-network health professional provides covered non-emergency services at an in-network facility. These facilities can include hospitals, surgical centers, laboratories and imaging centers. Generally, you owe only the in-network cost sharing. California also provides protections for emergency care. The rules depend on your coverage and circumstances; stronger state protections continue to apply.
Questions or concerns about a bill
For questions about a bill from Munish Lal MD PC / Interventional Spine Institute, call (424) 254-3592 or email admin@munishlalmd.com. You may also contact your health plan or the agencies below directly.
- Federal No Surprises Help Desk: 1-800-985-3059. Federal rights and complaint information.
- California Department of Managed Health Care: 1-888-466-2219. Patient rights and assistance.
- California Department of Insurance: 1-800-927-4357. California surprise-billing protections and complaints.