Is it basically impossible to know how much you’re going to end up being charged for a procedure?

I had a surgery earlier in the month. I had one a few years ago where I got a “surprise” bill and decided if I ever had another surgery I’d try to make sure I knew what I was in for.

I talked to the billing department several times. They told me that my doctor’s charge was $500-and something. They told me the hospital charge was $600. I asked if there were to be any other charges, what might they be and how much might they be. They told me that I’d have to ask my doctor. She told me as long as nothing out of the ordinary happened, there shouldn’t be any additional charges outside of what was pre-figured. I spoke to my insurance also and they told me that the procedure was covered and I should only have to pay what was left in my deductible which is like $900.

I checked again several days after my surgery wanting to see if anything had gone awry while I was asleep. Just a normal run of the mill procedure, they said.

So… this morning I got an email from the hospital’s billing department that says I owe nearly $3000. I haven’t gotten the actual breakdown of the bill yet.

I’m just feeling so frazzled. Is there anything you can do (in the US) to prevent surprises like this? Do I not know the right questions to ask? I’m genuinely curious. I will figure out a payment plan or something- I’m just frustrated.