The medical/health industry is jacked up in this country. I go to the hospital for an x-ray. I was referred to the hospital by an "in-network" doctor. The hospital is "in-network".

However, the radiologist fellow in India, is not. So I get tagged with a bill. Granted, it wasn't that much, but seriously, this is irritating.

Well it turns out that there's a clause in the sheet you sign when you get the x-ray done (yeah, I'm an idiot and didn't read every line) that says "The radiologist chosen may or may not be covered by your insurance".

Ok, fine, I screwed up. I should have paid more attention. So I say to them "had I paid more attention, I could have just asked for a different radiologist, one which is covered?"

"no, you don't get a choice."

What? Huh? That's like going to the car dealer, and them saying "we may put on replacement brake pads that are $100 a piece, we may put on brake pads that cost $25 a piece. You don't have a choice, and you have to pay, either way".

It's just poor customer service, something that apparently is lost on the medical industry. Where else can you render services before quoting a cost, and the customer is held to that price, regardless if they approve of it?