Okay, I’ll keep my insurance, but is it legal to for me to choose NOT use it for a procedure?

All anyone heard of my previous post was "Give me your stories of when insurance kicks in." You all missed the point of my post. I don't want to use my insurance unless it's a major procedure or emergency. I want to use insurance like we were SUPPOSED to in the 80's and 90's. I want to only use it in the event of a major medical event. The only major medical treatment facility in my area is REQUIRING me to use insurance because "We have a contract with BCBS." I just called again to get a good faith estimate. The good faith is $154. The paper that was provided at the desk said "Insurance billed $1600. Insurance covers $900. You pay $700." WHY AM I PAYING $700 FOR A PROCEDURE THAT COSTS $154?! They just keep saying "It's billed different and doesn't go toward your deductible." I don't care about deductibles. I just want to pay what it costs. Is it even legal to keep me from not using my insurance? It seems predatory toward the insured to bill in this way and force me to use a specific product. Makes me wonder why I even have insurance if, for as little as I use it, it's cheaper not to. Is there a policy that allows me to use insurance in the way that I am describing?

submitted by /u/robprobasco
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See also  Medical bill shock and imperfect moral hazard