TN
Know Your State
Your rights when you pay cash depend on where you live.
Some states cap what hospitals can charge uninsured patients or require free care below certain incomes. Others rely on federal rules alone. Pick a state to see what applies there.
- State limits what hospitals can charge or requires broad free care
- Some added state protections
- Mainly federal protections
Federal rights in every state
Good Faith Estimate
If you're uninsured or paying cash and schedule care at least 3 business days ahead, the provider must give you a written estimate. If the bill comes in $400 or more above it, you can dispute it.
CMS: No Surprises ActHospital cash prices
Hospitals must publish their prices online, including a discounted cash price and a list of common shoppable services. Look for "price transparency" or "price estimator" on the hospital's site.
CMS: Hospital price transparencyEmergency care
Under EMTALA, emergency rooms must screen and stabilize anyone with an emergency, whether or not they can pay.
CMS: EMTALANonprofit hospital assistance
Nonprofit hospitals must have a written financial assistance policy. Patients who qualify can't be charged more than insured patients are generally billed, and the hospital must check eligibility before aggressive collection.
IRS: Financial assistance policiesCredit reports
The three credit bureaus don't list paid medical debt or medical collections under $500. A 2025 federal rule that would have removed all medical debt was struck down, so larger unpaid bills can still appear unless state law says otherwise.
This is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and some state credit-reporting laws face federal legal challenges. Last reviewed September 30, 2026.