Anecdata: I just had a very mild infection a month ago, but it went to my heart so I went to the ER (thinking they'd give me antibiotics and send me on my way). They wanted to monitor me for 2 days so admitted me. I know I have the right to refuse (and very nearly did), but wanted to make sure my heart was all right. Long story short, they gave me nothing more than aspirin for that stint, did an echo and an EKG, and the billed amount is $130k. Completely ridiculous. I don't care if that's not the amount you pay, that's not right. The baby aspirin were $10 each!! Meanwhile they sent me home with an aspirin prescription for 120 (adult) pills that was about $5.