Good Faith Estimate for Dental Care in Milpitas, CA
Under the federal No Surprises Act, patients who are uninsured or paying out of pocket have the right to receive a written estimate of expected charges before treatment. At Signature Smiles Dental Group, we believe you should never be surprised by a dental bill — here is exactly how your estimate works, when you will receive it, and what to do if a bill does not match it.
Signature Smiles Dental Group • Dr. Gaganjot Khera, DDS — America’s Best Dentist 2024, 2025 and 2026 • 440 E Calaveras Blvd, Milpitas, CA 95035
What Is a Good Faith Estimate?
A good faith estimate (GFE) is a written summary of the expected charges for the dental services you plan to receive. The requirement comes from the federal No Surprises Act, which took effect January 1, 2022, and applies when you are uninsured or choose not to use dental insurance (self-pay). California law provides additional cost-transparency protections for patients.
Your estimate is based on our current fee schedule and the treatment plan Dr. Khera recommends after your exam. It is not a contract, and it does not obligate you to receive care from our practice.
What It Includes
An itemized list of the procedures, services, and supplies reasonably expected for your treatment, each with its expected charge, plus our practice name, address, and provider information.
When It Applies
You are entitled to an estimate if you are uninsured or self-pay and your visit is scheduled at least three business days in advance — or any time you simply ask for one.
Why It Protects You
If your final bill is at least $400 more than your estimate, federal law gives you a formal dispute process. Keep a copy of every estimate we give you.
When You Will Receive Your Estimate
Federal rules set specific deadlines for how quickly a written estimate must reach you. We meet or beat each one, and we can deliver your estimate on paper, by email, or through our patient portal — whichever you prefer.
| Situation | Your estimate arrives |
|---|---|
| You request an estimate without scheduling | Within 3 business days of your request |
| Appointment scheduled 3–9 business days out | Within 1 business day of scheduling |
| Appointment scheduled 10+ business days out | Within 3 business days of scheduling |
| Your treatment plan changes | An updated estimate before the changed service is provided |
How to Request Your Estimate
Contact Our Office
Call (408) 946-0777, ask at the front desk, or reach us through our contact page. You can request an estimate before ever booking a visit.
Tell Us About Your Treatment
Share the procedures you are considering — a crown, implant, cleaning, or a full treatment plan. After an exam, Dr. Khera can give you the most accurate itemized costs.
Receive It in Writing
We provide your estimate in writing — printed or by email — within the federal deadlines above, and we walk you through every line item so nothing is unclear.
Worried about affordability? Ask us about financing and payment plans, including Cherry and CareCredit, or review the insurance plans we accept.
If Your Bill Doesn’t Match Your Estimate
The No Surprises Act includes a patient-provider dispute resolution process. If we ever bill you substantially more than we estimated, you have clear options:
Talk to us first. Most billing questions are resolved with a phone call. Contact our office at (408) 946-0777 and we will review every line of your statement with you.
$400 threshold. If your final bill is at least $400 more than your written estimate for any provider, you may be eligible to formally dispute the charge.
120-day window. Disputes must be started within 120 calendar days of the date on your original bill through the federal patient-provider dispute resolution process.
Federal help line. For questions about your rights or to start a dispute, visit cms.gov/nosurprises or call 1-800-985-3059.
This page is provided for general informational purposes and is not legal advice. Estimates reflect expected charges at the time they are issued; actual charges may differ if your condition or treatment plan changes, and an updated estimate will be provided.
Your Estimate Questions, Answered
Who is entitled to a good faith estimate?
Any patient who is uninsured, or who has insurance but chooses not to use it (self-pay), is entitled to a written estimate under the No Surprises Act. Insured patients using their benefits instead receive pre-treatment estimates based on their plan — ask us and we will prepare one.
Does the estimate cost anything?
No. Providing your estimate is free, and requesting one does not obligate you to schedule or receive treatment at our Milpitas office.
How accurate will my estimate be?
It reflects our current fees for the services Dr. Khera reasonably expects you to need. If an exam or X-rays reveal something new — for example, decay deeper than expected — we pause, explain the change, and issue an updated estimate before proceeding.
What should I do with my estimate?
Keep a copy — printed or digital. If a bill ever arrives that is at least $400 higher than the estimate, that document is what you use to open a federal dispute within 120 days of the bill date.
Can I get an estimate before becoming a patient?
Yes. Call (408) 946-0777 and describe the service you are considering, and we will send a written estimate within three business days. Visit our new patient page to see what your first visit includes.
Does my estimate cover every possible charge?
It covers the items and services reasonably expected for the care you scheduled or asked about. Separate or unforeseen services — like an emergency visit for a different problem — would receive their own estimate.
What if I have dental insurance?
The federal GFE rules are designed for uninsured and self-pay patients. If you plan to use benefits, we verify your coverage and provide a pre-treatment estimate showing your expected out-of-pocket portion. See the insurance carriers we work with.
What if I can’t afford the estimated cost?
Talk to us before you delay care. We offer financing and payment plans through Cherry and CareCredit, and we can often phase treatment so the most urgent work happens first.
Plan Your Visit with Confidence
Transparent Pricing Starts with a Conversation
Request your written estimate today, or schedule a visit with Dr. Gaganjot Khera — voted America’s Best Dentist 2024, 2025 and 2026 — and our team will make sure you understand every cost before treatment begins.