We, and all similar companies, "billed" about $1500 to ensure when Blue Cross paid it's rate it came out to a number we could have a margin on. The remainder was billed to the patient but this was never money we expected to collect. Ever. Patient's don't pay, just don't count on it. Eventually the bill is sold to a collection agency for less than pennies on the dollar.

You ever wonder how much of America's vaunted GDP is just this shit?