An out-of-network doctor charging in-network costs?

Say a doctor is out-of-network. You go for a first visit and mention that you're trying to find a good doctor, so you're visiting multiple for a first checkup and will decide which you like after that. This doctor wants to compete, so he tells you that he won't charge you more than the in-network doctor even though he's out-of-network.

Indeed, when you go back for further visits, he charges the annual deductible then doesn't ask for any more out-of-pocket charges. The total costs to him seem like they must've dramatically exceeded the deductible (assume a lot more than just an annual physical), but he didn't charge more.

I started thinking about this after a time when this doctor gave us a bill that was quite a lot more than expected. We took it to him, and he said there was a mistake, and he'd handle it, and the bill went down to what it was before: we pay the deductible then no more.

What's going on here? Is this even legal?

Also, sorry if this is the wrong flair; we do have employer insurance, but I think this is more to do with the doctor? And sorry I was a bit vague; I don't want the doctor to see this.

Thanks!

submitted by /u/Standard_Machine_709
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