Insurance Costing More Than Cash Price – Story

This is so true. Thanks to Obamacare we now have a very expensive policy with $5,000.00 individual deductibles, which we typically do not meet. Recently my wife required a minor eye procedure whose cost was not going to allow her to meet her deductible. So, the entire cost would be out of pocket.
Wanting to make a good decision on provider, we asked both our insurance carrier, and our provider, what our out-of-pocket would be after insurance adjustments, as the provider and our insurance carrier have a contract with each other. After hearing every excuse in the world from both as to why this information was not available, and after much pressing, I received an “estimate” from the provider. We proceeded with the procedure on that basis.
When the bill arrived, it was DOUBLE the estimate. When I asked why, I was told the claim was filed under another contract, which superseded the contract from which they had given me the estimate.
I am disputing the additional charge on the basis they withheld information which we needed to make an informed decision. The dispute goes on.
Bottom line, it was apparent that neither the provider nor the insurance company wanted to reveal this information. Yet in these days of very high, and increasing deductibles, we feel this is information that is vitally needed in order to make a good decision. Additionally, if this information were routinely available, we feel it would promote healthy competition and ultimately reduce costs.
We’d like to see a law enacted to require providers, and/or health care companies share this information upon request.
What do you think?