When I was forced off our (small) company plan and onto Medicare, I signed up for a Blue Shield Medicare Advantage program at $51/mo plus the cost of Part B.
Last winter, I caught a leg infection and went to the doctor for the first time in a while. Leg infection was resolved with the usual antibiotic course. But Doc thought he heard something when he listened to my heart. Almost $3400 in tests. BC/BS hammered it down to $567, of which I had to pay ... $20.
So what did it really cost? Damned if I know! There was some fancy equipment involved, together with two or three hours of non-Doc tech labor.
When I had my five way they kept me in cardio icu for five days while the blood thinners left my system, then four more days recuperating. $250,000
Bs pick up the entire tab.
I told them let me go home and sit for the five days. They said no I might have a heart attack.