This is anecdotal of course but in November my wife had surgery that had been planned for nearly 10 months. Our insurance company told us 10 months ago that the procedure would cost us about $300 out of pocket. Provider agreed 10 months ago, in writing, because we had the good sense to ask about it. Fast forward to November the provider calls to confirm the pre-op appointment and in passing mentions that there will be $6500 due at the time of the pre-op appointment in order for the procedure to be carried out the next day. When she produced the written acknowledgement of it costing us $300 from the provider with his signature on it they said that was a mistake and the $6500 was what we would owe prior to the surgery or the surgery would not be done. Contacted insurance company and they again said it was $300. Got them on a conference call and the provider and the insurance company all agreed, $300. 30 minutes pass and the providers office calls and reminds her that she will need to pay $6500 prior to the surgery being performed. When the conference call was mentioned the provider said that was a mistake and without the $6500 payment the surgery would not be performed. This went on 4 times over the course of about 12 hours. Finally got it in writing again from the provider and the insurance company that we needed to pay the provider $300 out of pocket for the procedure. Go to the hospital the next day and the provider starts calling me...asking me how I wanted to pay the $6500. I told them I did not want to pay it. They said the surgery would be cancelled...with the surgeon in the pre-op room with us. I asked him about it, he gets on the phone with them and says its a mistake and it was worked out yesterday. They agree. Surgery starts and they call back....again asking about the $6500. Told them the surgery was in progress and if they wanted that $6500 they better call the surgeon and tell him to close her up 'cause they ain't getting no $6500. This was last month. I fully expect to get a bill from a collections agency from this provider and will have all of the written correspondence ready for them when we do. I would not be shocked if we did not wind up paying at least part of that $6500 because collections agencies have no regulation in Georgia, they can do anything they damn well please and use the power of the state as their muscle.