I had some second degree burns across my chest and arm last year that caused me to go to the hospital. My mouth dropped when I got the bill for that and then again after my surgery. I paid 45 bucks a piece for vicodin, 300 bucks for a doc to say "yep, those are second degree burns, 53 bucks for a tube of burn cream, etc. I think the prices are so high because they expect some people not to pay. My co-worker said he was able to negotiate a cash price when his wife was hospitalized. I think he said he saved like at least a couple thousand bucks.