This happened a while ago, but I just found out the result yesterday.
DW and I made a rookie ACA mistake: our in-network doctor sent us to the in-network hospital for a new patient lab panel. Only, the lab inside said hospital is out of network. So, the bill came to $1,885. Each. I checked the lab, but given our insurance (Oscar) has a thin network anyway, I didn't stop to ask the lab who they even were. (No sign in the room)
But surprise billing is a no-no as part of a Covid bill, and a pending permanent action. And it has been in Texas since the beginning of last year. So I called to appeal the denial of coverage, mentioning the lab resides inside the in-network hospital. I thought it was going to be the beginning of a long slog, perhaps involving a complaint to the insurance commission.
Low and behold, they said yes! Our new payment: $50. That was a $3,600 phone call.
It reminds me of the saying: the answer to an unasked question is always no.