I feel like a complete dipsh*t.

I was so hung up on finding the best care for myself that instead of taking the time to investigate my options (as I have been doing today) I quickly went for an option that was out of my price range.

While the roughly $800 I owe Mayo is inconsequential compared to what I may be faced with if I didn't have insurance or what other people may face, it's still a blow to my pocketbook right now.

Not long after I received the bills from Mayo my company held its benefits information meeting at which I learned we have something available to us called a health advocate. This health advocate, among other things, can help with negotiating fees for doctor's visits, hospital visits and the like. I was really hoping they'd be able to wipe the slate clear, frankly. The health advocate called Mayo on my behalf and found that I have three payment options to choose from, all of which are perfectly acceptable.

But back to the dipsh*t part...I was just so...so angry I guess. Angry enough that I needed validation that I wasn't just some schmo walking into a doctor's office who didn't know what I was talking about. Validation that I can have things my way and that I wasn't overly spoiled by Dr. C. And I thought that the place with the best reputation would give me that validation.

And it did. And I'm paying for it.