The medical morass

Yesterday I decided to get my eyes checked so I could get a prescription for new contacts. We were shopping in a major discount store which offers optical service and an optomologist in store. I chatted with the service attendant regarding time for exam and other things and told him that I had vision insurance, giving him the name and he assured me that there would be "no problem" and that the procedure would take about 20 minutes. Well there began the "ordeal" of getting the end result. I filled out the proper forms and was soon attended by the doctor. The exam went fine. Then the doctor put in the drops to dilate the pupils and told me to wait up to 20 minutes before completing the exam. There was twice the time indicated by the attendant. Once the procedure was completed the doctor handed me a bill that was owed by check or cash. Well, I mentioned the insurance and she said she didn't handle insurance and knew nothing about. About that time one of the women attendants walked in. The doctor mentioned the insurance payment so I was passed off to the woman. We went out to another desk and she took my insurance card and attempted to call the insurance provider with little luck. She received a fax from them which indicated that we didn't have vision insurance which was different from what my card had listed. Another attendant got involved in the situation and was finally able to locate the correct insurance information and told me that my part of the doctor's bill was $22. Then I inquired about the insurance coverage for the contacts. Despite what the big sign on the wall read, the store will not accept that carrier because it requires that they give more of a discounted price. So I finally (after almost two hours) left the store without the contacts but with a smaller doctor's bill. I continue to have to readjust my thinking to the American culture of medical bills, etc. In Argentina, I just walked into the store and requested the contacts or a doctor's exam and all was taken care of. Maybe I will soon be back into the American culture and understand how things work here.