Getting screwed over for being an uninsured patient

About 2 months ago, I dislocated a finger on my right hand (yes, while picking my nose and sticking it up my arse). I'm uninsured, so I went to the emergency room, was treated, and released.

A couple of weeks later, I got a bill from the Lafayette hospital for about $1,200. No problem. I'd broken my left hand about 2 years ago, went to the same ER and was similarly charged. So, I paid the bill.

Then, about 3 weeks later, I got a bill from a company based in Colorado. The bill was for $4,000, and I was to send payment to an address in Dallas, TX. I called my lawyer, who told me this was bullshite, and he said he'd craft a letter and send it to them.

Then, a few days later, I got another bill from the Lafayette hospital, saying that the $1,200 was just a balance and I still owed them $400. I called the hospital and told them what had happened, and the woman on the line told me "okay, don't worry about it. I'll take care of it." So, one phone call and I don't have to pay the $400.

The other day, I got a letter from the company in Colorado, who had received my lawyer's letter. They thanked me for my concern and said that I was being given a 75% discount, and that I now owe them only $1,000.

Obviously, these people are completely full of shite. Has anyone else ever experienced this? The ER was Lafayette General, btw.