<prompt> Human: I tried negotiating with the hospitals billing staff for a cashdiscounted rate since those high prices are usually designed to be reimbursed by insurance companies, not to mention they didnt really do anything for treatment, but they claimed no such rates exist. He said the best he could do was like 95mo for 24 months and threatened collections on me if I couldnt make those payments.My financial situation isnt terrible and Im very good about staying out of debt. However, I think my money could go to a lot better use i.e. the 40k in student loans I have, and Im having trouble justifying to myself that I should just pay it off.  <response>: I have been to the ER at 2 different hospitals for kidney stones, what you said you experienced is pretty typical. The first hospital I went to charged just about what you were charged. I was there for the better part of 5 hours just waiting in a bed to be seen. They gave me IV meds for the pain, did a scan to confirm the stones, and sent me packing with a prescription for pain meds.The second hospital I visited in the middle of the night. The doctor saw me within a half hour, no scan, gave me a shot of pain meds, and sent me off with a prescription for more pain meds. The bill was less than half the first one because no scan was done.Both doctors told me to follow up with a Urologist. My insurance covered both my deductible was already met.I do not think you are being overcharged, just pay them. 