NYS Hospital charged 3x's that of area hospitals

What is the name of your state? New York

Emergency Appendix Surgery in October 2002 at our local hospital. Total invoice for hospital at $21,000. My insurance, through NASE (National Assoc for Self-Employeed , payed $1500.00 . I have payed $60,000 in Premiums to this insurance co. since 1987... The Company refuses to respond to our requests for further information (like a copy of the policy), rather; stating that the policy in 1987 guaranteed only $500/day for hospitalization.

Secondly; the hospital has billed $3600.00/Day for a semi-private room.
Six area hospital I called quoted amounts between $790/Day and $1600/day.
Most in-patient billing administrators with whom I spoke did not believe that this hospital billed out at that amount.

I am willing to pay a fair value for ,what I feel , was pretty good care.

The hospital has used a firm out of Long Island and I have been served complaint. Before I negotiate an agreement (or if one is unavailable);do I counterclaim for fraudulent billing practice? No description of rates or warning thereof was mentioned. My family and friends have used this hospital before without complaint.