Yeah, it may we be fake, but at the same time I've dealt with a lot of horsecockery like this in my own medical history. The moral of the story is, always always always pre-negotiate the price of any medical or dental services. Have them give it to you in writing. Obviously ER service is the exception to the rule, but you get the idea. I like to make it clear to doctors that I am paying for a professional service - as in, you give me results, I give you cash. (No results = no cash.) As in, a blood test may make you feel better, but if that doesn't help you make me feel better, you do that on your dime. I've found some doctors like to draw blood so they can run a battery of tests after you've left their office then they bill my insurance company, who only pay part then stick me with the rest. I think they do the tests partly to cover their asses, but mostly for the paycheck. They never share the results with me, so as far as I'm concerned they never happened, and I don't pay for them. These days I get the bill up-front, though.
All good advice. I'd add that it is also important to make sure that your insurance company covers whatever procedure you are having done. You may think it's routine stuff, but often they'll try as hard as they can not to pay for it. I had this happen with a surgery on my broken nose after being assaulted. BCBS called it an elective rhinoplasty, I called it having my nose broken, resting nearer my right ear than the center of my face. After letters from my physician and police reports, they still wouldn't pony up. At some point we settled on a compromise, but they never paid the full amount. Bastards.