<prompt> Human: Im in Texas and have an EPOHSA plan with United Healthcare. My in-network OBGYN sent me to Quest Diagnostics for routine lab work for pregnancy. Since my doctor was in my network, I didnt think anything of going to get these labs drawn and a month later I check online and UHC says that I owe the full amount for the lab work since they Quest was out of network. Its almost 3,000 worth of work, making me reach my deductible months before I have this baby. I have called United Healthcare several times and they keep saying it was out of network, and I have to pay it. However, the lab work was done in January and I just received a bill from Quest asking for only 40 - not the entire amount. I have not spoken to Quest. Can I make my doctors foot the bill since they are the ones that sent me there? If I do end up having to pay this, is there a way I can negotiate this amount down?  <response>: The document from UHC might be an explanation of benefits, which is a breakdown of charges that have been processed through your insurance and is not a bill. Read the document carefully and confirm whether is it a bill or or an explanation of benefits - the explanation of benefits does not require payment. It is rare for a bill to come directly from your insurance UHC instead of from the provider Quest, in this case.Sometimes, when the billing provider cant get insurance to shell out for the full billed amount as in your case, because they were out of network, they will bill you, the patient, a lesser sum, knowing it will be easier to collect.My advice is to recheck the paperwork youve been sent, confirm what each one is and where its coming from, and pay Quest their 40. If the document that mentions 3000 is in fact an actual bill from UHC, I will be surprised and out of advice. : I hope some of that might be helpful. 