Prepayments? How do they know before billing insurance

My deductible is $1600. I was diagnosed with Graves a bit ago and I knew with that I would be having quite a few appointments to get it treated so I started a spreadsheet to keep track

Appt/visits that I have both received an EOB and bill from hospital and paid is: $382

I had an RAI scan done on 5/23 that I was required to pay $746 at check in/prepay. When paying I asked if this was something that would go towards my deductible or if they knew it was non-covered and the guy just shrugged,said I had to pay it in order to have it done, and then gave me a receipt. It is now 8/5 and I still see the claim is in process for that visit.

I also see that the claim for the radiologist has finished processing and I should be getting a bill for $126 soon.

The issue where I'm at now is that I have my radiation appt next week and they're requiring a $700 payment again at check in. So after I've checked in i will have paid $1,954. Which is clearly past my deductible.

Coinsurance is/will be 15% since they're in-network. Oop is $4k. So I know I will still owe some even after my deductible is met (until I hit my OOP), but I'm just very confused as to how they can charge me so much before the visit is even done without billing to insurance?

Will I just have to pay it, wait for insurance to process, and then if I truly overpaid call and ask for a refund? Is that the normal process that I've just never experienced since I've always been healthy haha?

submitted by /u/shwimshwim25
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