What are the federal IDR administrative and certified IDR entity fees in 2026?
Verdict Consulting Group Research · Updated
Answer
For disputes initiated on or after June 11, 2026, the federal administrative fee is $15 per party per dispute, down from $115, and it is non-refundable. Certified IDR entity fees range from $200 to $840 for single determinations and $268 to $1,173 for batched determinations. The party whose offer is not selected pays the entity fee.
Detail
Fee schedule
| Fee | Amount | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative fee | $15 per party per dispute | Disputes initiated on or after June 11, 2026 |
| Administrative fee (prior) | $115 per party per dispute | Disputes initiated January 22, 2024 to June 10, 2026 |
| Certified IDR entity fee, single | $200 to $840 | Disputes initiated on or after January 22, 2024 |
| Certified IDR entity fee, batched | $268 to $1,173 | Disputes initiated on or after January 22, 2024 |
| Batched tiered add-on | $75 to $250 per additional 25 line items, from the 26th | Batched disputes |
Each certified IDR entity sets a fixed fee within these ranges, unless the Departments approve a fee outside them. The ranges stay in effect until changed by notice-and-comment rulemaking (45 CFR 149.510(e)(2)(viii), as amended by 91 FR 33900).
Who pays
Under 42 U.S.C. 300gg-111(c)(5)(F), the party whose offer is not chosen pays the certified IDR entity fee. If the parties settle before a determination, each pays half unless they agree otherwise. The Departments waived the usual delayed effective date so the $15 fee could apply from June 11, 2026, five business days after publication.
Read the analysis
Sources
- Federal Register — Federal Independent Dispute Resolution Operations, 91 FR 33900 ()
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services — Federal IDR Operations Final Rules Implementation Timeline Guide ()
- Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School — 42 U.S. Code § 300gg-111 — Preventing surprise medical bills ()
General information only, not legal advice. Verdict Consulting Group is not a law firm.