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.
The key phrase here is "usual and customary". The insurance companies are squeezing hospitals/doctors.
One area to examine is individual responsibility. If I smoke, have a poor diet, do little/no exercise, it's reasonable to expect I will have health problems. Who should pay for that lifestyle?
Try this, especially the "Facts and Issues" section. Click this URL: http://www.nrtwc.org/
then Fact Sheet under the Facts and Issues drop-down. Pick and read one or more items.
I once worked for Cingular Wireless and chose not to join the union. CA law forces the company to withhold an amount equal to the union dues from my paycheck anyway.
Market Data 
Markets 
AI
