Out of Pocket with separate Doctor vs Hospital/Anesthesia cost

Hi guys! I’m so confused, so forgive my ignorance here.

Age: 28 Income: 35,000 a year City: DFW, Texas

I’m about to have brain surgery, and my doctor’s portion was quoted at $3,200, and it’s due a week before the surgery (they will not offer a payment plan). The hospital portion quoted $4,200. My out of pocket max is $5,000.

I know between the two I can’t pay more than $5,000. I was hoping to get in touch with the hospital to see if they’d accept a down payment, and the rest paid in partial payments after the surgery. My question is – would the $4,200 still be seen as going towards my out of pocket by my insurance if I’d only be doing a down payment, initially?

I was hoping if the hospital agreed, then my doctor couldn’t charge me more than $800, and I could pay that and not have my surgery rescheduled. I’m very stressed about this whole thing. Any advice is very much appreciated.

My insurance is BCBS of TX EPO.

submitted by /u/sugarfleet
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