High surgery bill, on HDHP, wanted to know what my options are

Hi! I'm a non-American living in California. Moved here two years ago and have had a difficult time understanding how healthcare works.

I recently had to get a minor surgery (rectal condyloma) as part of my now annual checkup. The bill was 2,200$ out of my pocket. I have a HDHP (UHC) and the surgery was at Sutter in San Francisco. I set up a HSA last year and have enough to cover it. I have a few questions and was hoping some knowledgeable folks can help me out.

Is there a way I can negotiate this bill, despite being on an HDHP? I've read that paying in cash can give me a discount, but I'm not sure how that works?

With my chronic condition (HIV), I'm expected to get these checkups annually. I can't afford to keep paying 2200 dollars every year for a regular procedure, that just seems unsustainable. (I don't work in tech) – what are alternatives? Do I shift out of a HDHP on to a PPO or something else?

submitted by /u/throwwayharlem
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