Earlier quoted context omitted.
I most am most likely going to need an ACL surgery in a couple of months so we will see how it goes. So far I found out that pretty much every "X is difficult" is a gospel peddled by lazy. This is my first relatively major incident so I'm running pretty blind -- I'm approaching it as I approach needing to do something in business. Instead of going to the ER ($2,500), I went to a walk in medical center ($120), got see…
The average case where people go to the ER they don't have a week to Google and research their options. More likely minutes to hours. You can definitely find some value in the US medical system if you have the time, like coupons for prescription drugs that aren't covered. But yes, don't go to the ER for non-emergencies and you'll save money and everyones resources. Hopefully that's basic logic to most people.
In fact when the walk in center referred me to an ortho and said "It will be expensive. Here's a list of good ones" I asked if it was going to be "$800 dollar expensive?" at which point I was looked at by both the front-desk person and the Emergency medicine doctor as if I had grew two heads in front of them. They said "About 250 to see a specialist and about $800 for an MRI."
One of the two surgeons that I have selected based on their responses who could see me the next day were on the list of good ones ( ~30 ) that I was provided by the walk in center. No referral code was needed.
The surgeon offices, the walk in center and the physical therapists were having near orgasmic reactions hearing that it was going to be paid as a part of high deductible plan because it means that it is paid from a regular Mastercard as if I was a cash patient, immediately, the same day.
[0] I have taken friends to ER. They were never seen faster than 3-4 hours.