I don’t remember what the procedure was, but I asked about the insured price, and they checked my coverage, and told me an amount. I asked for the NO INSURANCE price, and it was substantially less. I’ve experienced this both with a hospital, AND a dentist.
I am an educator in Texas with high deductible insurance. It is the only one available. What is so sad is that janitors and cafeteria workers in Texas schools pay for the same indurance. One janitor figured out the system. At the beginning of the school year someone in her family goes to the ER. They get a big bill. It meets their deductible. She can’t pay ER bill. She does not make enough. Contacts program at hospital that helps the poor. They magically waive all costs. Her family can now see regular doctors all year with just a copay. This is so sad and smart.