In Network Urgent Care sent my throat swab to out of network lab $1341 bill WTF

I went to an in network urgent care a few weeks ago as I thought I might have covid. They did a test and there it came back negative but based on my symptoms they did a throat swab to send out to check for various infectious pathogens. I got my insurance company EOB which states the lab billed them $1700 something and they paid $91 and my responsibility is $1341.00 I almost lost my mind as I cant afford to pay that right now as this economy is crushing me. I call my insurance who states this was out of network, you have a $250 deductible, and the rest is your responsibility I was like but I went to an in-network doctor I don't understand so they told me to call the Urgent Care.

I get the office Mgr of the UC on the phone who is adamant that this lab is an "in network" lab and I told her that is not what my insurance is saying. She was rude and told me not their problem, its in network they cant bill you and I said yes they can bc its not. Got tired of arguing with her but I called my insurance back and got a nice rep who I explained the whole situation to. She put me on hold called the local Blue Cross office who confirmed out of network. She then called the urgent care, spoke to the same biatch I did and came back and told me that this office manager is reaching out to their Blue Cross Rep. The rep at Blue Cross told me this isnt your fault you have no choice on who they send your labs to and I wouldn't worry about this. In other words she filed an appeal, and she made me feel that I likely won't have to pay this bill. I am still worried though. Does it seem like the insurance might end up paying it or will I get screwed?

submitted by /u/UpstairsSkill3019
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