Yep, didn’t have insurance 8 years ago. Paid about $325 for an mri of my lower back. 4 months later, still sore, and the doc ordered a ct scan with dye of the same area. I asked the billing agent before getting it done. She said $2,200 (about that anyway). I had it done, cash, for about $420, iirc.
A week later I woke up on Labor day with no pain. So I labored, replacing the front brakes on one of our suvs. Answered prayer.
How did a CT scan resolve your lower back issue?
About 12-13 years ago we were without insurance for awhile. Mr. GG2 had to go to the ER. When they called him about the bill it was over $1200 by when he said we would pay cash it dropped to about $650.