Tony Lee has hit one nail dead on. How can a hospital justify that kind of bill? Here is an example; my wife went into one of three hospitals in Demming New Mexico. Her ear was swollen and the swelling moving down her neck. In twenty minutes she was outside the door and we paid cash, 300 dollars. It was not busy, understandably, we were the only ones there. Well the bill was not ready yet and would be quite awhile, so the lady said we will send you the change. That works and off we went. Two days later they phoned and the bill was ready, 950 some dollars. Well, maybe we should use our insurance. So we did.
When we arrived home, a bill from the hospital to the tune of 1100.00 and some dollars was waiting. RBC said that they would handle it, not to worry.
The treatment, one injection for infection (possibly due to an allergy caused by earring pin) and a written prescription. Total time in and out; 20 minutes.
Perhaps Canadian insurers are being ripped off by hospitals in the States and the travelling insured is collateral damage? Imagine if the hospital advised my wife stay overnight? and the doctor did not come back till 3 pm the next day?