Health Care in U.S.--A joke!

I'm scheduled for a colonoscopy, the third time this year.  The reason it's the third time is because each time I was scheduled, the question of who would pay had not been answered.  First, in early January, insurance coverages were being reviewed and the facility could not determine from my carrier if the procedure was covered; the second time I was told that I was not covered (the same carrier I've had for six years changed member numbers without informing me and the facility had my old number).  This time I was informed that although the procedure was covered 100% I would have to pay a facility coverage deductible of $250.00.  I cancelled the procedure and then did some investigation with my insurer.  Apparently, if it's a screening colonoscopy I don't have to pay for the facility but if it's a diagnostic procedure I do.  The difference, as explained to me is:  if my doctor (whose fee is fully covered) discovers a polyp during the procedure, then I have to pay the fee; if my colon is clean, there is no fee.  Why?  Because the wire she uses to remove the polyp is owned by the facility.

After I cancelled the procedure, I received a return call from the facility and was informed that the facility would pick up the fee if I couldn't afford to pay, so I've agreed to have the procedure.  What really infuriates me is that if I had not done my homework, I would have paid the $250 upfront (that's how they do it) and not been told that a fee was only due if a polyp was found.  I doubt very much if the facility would have returned the $250.00 if no polyps were found.  And since they're so exact, should they charge by the polyp--$50.00 per polyp.  What if the polyp is benign--is it a lower cost?

Let me contrast the above with another story.  When Miguel and I were living in Italy in 2003 (I had insurance but he did not), he had unusual bleeding which required a colonoscopy.  He had the procedure performed at the hospital in Foligno, Umbria.  When he was finished (no polyps were found), he asked what he owed.  The doctor replied that Italians don't have to pay for the procedure and since Miguel liked Italy so much that he chose to live there he didn't have to pay either.  The doctor said, joking, "it was a pleasure seeing your colon."  As Miguel was leaving the hospital, he saw his doctor coming out of the parking lot riding a bike.  Not even a fancy bike.  No further comment.

An Addendum:  My doctor, a lovely Russian, called me just now, not knowing that the facility had agree to absorb the fee, to see what she could do.  We had a long discussion about American health care and we both agree that until insurance companies stop running this as a business, it will never get any better.