This is true. I have called the hospital and inquired about medical service prices, and also about billing. The first question the financial administrator always asks is: "Insurance, or cash price?" Seems they have a menu of services priced differently depending upon whether or not you pay in cash, out of pocket.
And I have a bill here somewhere that shows 1 single night's stay in "observation" in the E.R.
That bill is over $17,000 USD.
And they literally did nothing except watch me.