Yup, I totally agree. To make matters worse, the off-contract rates on the invoices are often astronomical compared to what they actually get from your insurance - like 10x or more.
Normally you're good if you stay in-network, but an ER visit to an in-network hospital can result in a separate bill for say $600 directly from a doctor who might've seen you for five minutes but doesn't work as an employee of the hospital. Unless you just can't pay or want to white knuckle it and play poker negotiating you can't get a lower rate because that doctor's "not on your insurance." I've seen this virtually every time someone's gone to the ER.
Normally you're good if you stay in-network, but an ER visit to an in-network hospital can result in a separate bill for say $600 directly from a doctor who might've seen you for five minutes but doesn't work as an employee of the hospital. Unless you just can't pay or want to white knuckle it and play poker negotiating you can't get a lower rate because that doctor's "not on your insurance." I've seen this virtually every time someone's gone to the ER.