High charge at urgent care

[u/PromotionAgile]

I was charged $900 for a 15 minute visit to urgent care. Insurance doesn't cover any of it because I have a high deductible plan. I called the medical practice saying the charge was ridiculous. They checked the billing codes and found no error.

They said the insurance company sets the price and I can file a grievance with insurance. That seems like a wild goose chase.

Why is it so expensive? Is there anything I can do to reduce the cost?

[u/Tater-Sprout]

I don’t think the health insurance company sets the INITIAL price. The hospital sets the insane initial price. The health insurance company negotiates it from there.

Let’s be incredibly clear here:

The criminals in this entire system are the hospitals themselves. That’s where the absolute shit storm of insanity pricing begins.