Federal IDR fee guide
Who pays IDR fees?
Fee responsibility is one of the first questions parties ask before filing Federal IDR. The answer depends on the fee type, dispute outcome, settlement status, and current program rules.
Important: This is a general information site about Federal IDR fees under the No Surprises Act. It is not legal, billing, coding, tax, or compliance advice. Always check the current CMS and Federal IDR portal instructions before filing or paying fees.
Start by separating the fees
The administrative fee and certified IDR entity fee are different. Both sides should plan for the administrative fee. Certified IDR entity fee responsibility can depend on current rules and the outcome of the dispute.
If the parties settle
CMS notes that if parties agree on an out-of-network rate after initiating Federal IDR but before a determination, the initiating party must notify the certified IDR entity and the Departments. The notice should include how the parties agree to pay the certified IDR entity fee if they do not split it evenly.
Practical planning checklist
- Estimate administrative fees
- Estimate certified IDR entity fees
- Track which party initiated each dispute
- Track settlements before determination
- Record fee allocation agreements
- Track payment due dates
- Reconcile determinations and refunds if applicable
- Review official current rules before filing
Related IDR fee guides
Current Federal IDR fees
Administrative fees, certified IDR entity fees, and what changed in 2026.
Federal IDR administrative fee
What the government administrative fee is, who pays it, and when it matters.
Certified IDR entity fees
The separate fee paid to the certified IDR entity that decides the dispute.
Who pays IDR fees?
How payment responsibility works and what happens when one side prevails.
Batching and IDR fees
Why batching can change the economics of filing Federal IDR disputes.
IDR fee examples
Simple scenarios for estimating administrative and entity fee exposure.
Refunds and settlements
What to consider when parties settle or ask whether IDR fees are refundable.
Official resources
Use official sources for current Federal IDR fee amounts, certified IDR entity fees, portal instructions, deadlines, and dispute rules. This site is informational and may not reflect every later CMS update.
Managing fees is only one part of the IDR workflow
Federal IDR fees affect dispute economics, but teams also need to track open negotiation windows, initiation deadlines, certified IDR entity selection, evidence, offers, determinations, and payment follow-up.
For teams handling recurring IDR volume, see IDR claims processing automation.
FAQ
What are IDR fees?
IDR fees are the costs associated with using the Federal Independent Dispute Resolution process under the No Surprises Act. They include a government administrative fee and a separate certified IDR entity fee.
What is the current Federal IDR administrative fee?
The Federal IDR administrative fee is $15 per party per dispute for disputes initiated on or after June 11, 2026, according to the 2026 Federal IDR operations rule summarized by CMS-related guidance.
Are certified IDR entity fees separate?
Yes. Certified IDR entity fees are separate from the Federal IDR administrative fee. They are paid to the certified IDR entity that manages and decides the dispute.
Who pays IDR fees?
Both parties generally pay the administrative fee. Certified IDR entity fee responsibility can depend on the outcome of the dispute and current rules, so parties should check official instructions before filing.
Why do IDR fees matter?
IDR fees affect whether a dispute is economically worth pursuing, especially for lower-dollar claims. Teams should compare expected recovery, administrative fees, entity fees, batching options, and internal operating cost.
Can parties agree how to split certified IDR entity fees after settlement?
CMS says settlement notice should include allocation of how the parties agree to pay the certified IDR entity fee if they choose not to split it evenly.