Cash up front only cuts costs when one is self-insured. The reason for this is the hospital doesn’t have to file paperwork with anyone else.
Cash upfront to assure the hospital you can meet your insurance deductible is not the same thing.
I understand that. But there is no reason you have to tell the hospital you have insurance is there?
I love the idea of paying upfront for routine medical treatments. When I was in The Bahama’s, I broke my shoulder. I went to the hospital and had to pay 45 dollars for registration (cost for everyone regardless of care) and then 97.10 for X-rays. I paid 80 bucks for sling and medicine. That is it. That is how the American system works. Insurance should only be for major medical problems. If people had to pay out of pocket for most routine medical issues, people would not be going to the doctor for a splinter in the finger and a runny nose.