I feel kind of scammed?

I’d appreciate input from people savvy with insurance. I’m unsure if I’m being unreasonable or this hospital doesn’t get what I’m saying.

I had a telehealth consult for a second opinion and they ordered lab work for me. I asked to use my normal lab which is inside my work and where I’ve never paid anything ever. I was told by the PA that I couldn’t because the samples may be altered if that lab transports them out. I drove 40 minutes to their lab and ended up with a $1200 bill. They also forgot to get a prior authorization but that was waived by insurance. My insurance company said any ability to fix this is on the facility.

I reached out to patient relations and was very clear about what happened, also let them know that I confirmed that it wasn’t true that the samples couldn’t be transported. Their response is that $1200 is my co-pay and deductible and that I’m responsible for it. I don’t feel I owe anything because I requested a site and was told no based on incorrect clinical information, any charges associated are void in my mind. Due to my background in risk management I think it’s really sketchy to make the patient pay for a provider misspeaking. I work in psych now and the thought of them doing this to one of my vulnerable patients is enraging. Should I keep fighting this? Or am I misunderstanding?