I think in all countries, or at least most, doctors ask first whether the patient has insurance or not. Here in Venezuela, you even have to wait for the insurance to enable a key to be attended to, so if it's an emergency, you die. Furthermore, some clinics have been reported here that can increase the cost of treatments and operations, if there is insurance involved. It's ugly to say, but some clinics play at "taking advantage" of diseases. It's good that Smallsteps is getting better! I hope you can get some rest. Greetings