<prompt> Human: I was suffering from burning in my esophagus from acid reflux so I saw a GI Doctor who recommended an Endocopy. I have good insurance but was told by the surgery center that anesthesia would not be covered so I had to pay my 500 deductible. No big deal, I want to figure out this problem I am having. Also had anemia at the time and was concerned there may be internal bleeding.Everything came back normal aside from what I already knew esophagal lining had scar tissue. Fast forward and I am looking at bills of 5600 anesthesia and 14800 surgery. Insurance company has sent me checks in the amounts of 1400 and 3100 to pay towards the bills. The other 16,000 it appears I am on the hook for.I never would have opted for the surgery if I had known it would cost even a fraction of this. I make a decent income, but after basic expenses including high rent costs and 46k left in student loans do not have a lot left over each month.What can I do here, and who should I contact? Should I send the checks to the surgery center? Or should I talk to them or my insurance company first? Is there anything I can do to get out of this insane bill? Can I at least get it reduced down somehow? What are my options? Do I even have any? I know I should have been more diligent in my own research into the costs before saying yes, but I was suffering at the time mentally and physically, was finally covered by a good health insurance plan after years on Medi-Cal, and really just wanted to find a solution. The doc recommended it, and said nothing of the costs.Please advise PF. I thought I was finally on the road to digging my way out of the red thanks to a lot of browsing on this sub and then this happens.edit:According to my PPO plan, my maximum out of pocket expenses are:In Network - 3500Out of Network - 4700So howwhy can I be getting a bill for so much?  <response>: According to my PPO plan, my maximum out of pocket expenses are:In Network - 3500Out of Network - 4700So howwhy can I be getting a bill for so much?Because your bill from your treatment provider is your bill from your treatment provider. What portion of it your insurer pays is another story. Before you pay anything to your treatment provider, wait for an Explanation of Benefits EOB from your insurer. They may email it to you, or post it to an account accessible at their website. 