“The problem is that prices aren’t published like they are for every other industry, ”
This is Yet another problem. I didn’t mean that my example (which you grant is a valid one with emergencies, though not all encounters).
“Insurance sometimes pays hundreds if not thousands of dollars for routine procedures.”
I’m not sure why “routineness” of a procedure would determine its cost. Can you explain why this is so?
“even for pre-existing conditions.”
Without regulation pre-existing conditions would usually not be covered. nor should they be. Try buying homeowners’ insurance after a house is on fire. It doesn’t even make sense, it isnt really “insurance” at that point.