I'm not on an HMO either... your plan sounds very similar to mine... that's why I'm so appalled at the fact that they didn't pay. I even tried to get my company's HR department involved, but they didnt' do anything but parrot back what the insurance company said to them. In fact, I'm not suppose to have more than $2000 out of pocket in any year... it was much more than that and I had to pay or ruin my credit.
Sara
"I never give them hell. I just tell the truth and they think it's hell." - Harry Truman