Recently I received a call from an insurance specialist at the imaging center where I will be having an MRI soon. The purpose of the call was not to remind me about my appointment, but to inform me that I would be expected to pay my unmet $5,750 deductible before insurance would pay their 80 percent portion. My payment was expected no later than the day of the test. I asked if there was a prompt pay or any other discount offered; the only alternative was a “cash package.” This began an interesting conversation about a cash price of $1,450 versus the $6,300 the insurance would be billed for the same MRI. If I chose to pay $1,450, this would not apply to the deductible...