Our PPO insurance has extremely high annual deductible & relatively high co-pay (we are seniors, my spouse is self-employed – it’s the only way we can afford any insurance at all).

My spouse had colonoscopy done late last year. Our insurance sent authorization to the gastroenterologist doctor who was to perform procedure. This doctor scheduled procedure at a day-surgery center. Insurance did not issue pre-authorization for this surgery center – only to the doctor.

On the date of service (DOS) – our credit card was charged $2000 as a pre-payment.

When the bill from the day surgery arrived – it was for $6800 less the $2000 we prepaid = $4800. This is apart & separate from the co-pay charges by the gastroenterologist & the anesthesiologist.