As an example, when my ex was trying to price ultrasounds on a breast lump as self pay before choosing where to go, the billing departments refused to quote her without the billing codes for the procedure, which require a treatment plan, which requires an appointment with a doctor at that office or hospital.

It took a month of calling around before a nurse who worked between departments took pity and leaked her the common billing codes. Once she got a quote, the estimates dropped from thousands out of pocket on her insurance to a few hundred, to an office comping the procedure.

She works in healthcare. I wouldn't have even known where to begin after being told no.