I agree with Dr. Lindsey. I recently fractured my leg, and was taken to a hospital (ER). I was billed approx. 5500$ for x-rays, ambulance, crutches and ~5 minutes with a nurse practitioner at the ER hospital. My insurance chipped in and paid them approx 500 $ for the whole thing, as per the negotiated rate. I was wondering what if I did not have the insurance ? It seemed like Highway Robbery for what they did. I was only there for two hours, and apart from X-Rays they simply bandaged my leg and asked me to see an orthopedist for further evaluation. If I would have opted to go to an urgent care clinic, I could have probably got the entire thing done for less than 500 $. No wonder Medical Costs are so expensive, bcos most folks going to these hospitals simply cannot pay for lack of insurance and we have to pay for them.