re: Why do hospitals have their people send separate bills?

I don't give a shite what business you're in, the customer should know up front what they're paying for and how much it will cost.

The only exception is if someone is unconscious and unable to decide for themselves.

There are only a handful of businesses that operate this way. Bars are one. There's usually no transparency when it comes to drink prices.

Insurance acts as a barrier to hide the true cost the hospital is charging. We don't care if they are charging $100 a bandaid because insurance is covering it. Except you're still paying for that and then some. That's how insurance companies make profit.