From his comments defending not visiting ER given a recent unrelated health issue: The hospital billed $11,000 for a cat scan; the insurance paid 6k.'

Seriously, if you need a an elective scan and it's going to cost you more than a couple of grand after insurance: take a vacation, fly first class, stay in a 5 star hotel, get seen privately in a first class facility, have a relaxing rejuvenating break, and come home with change. Cost of a full-body CT scan in Europe?: < $1000.[1]

[1] http://www.privatehealth.co.uk/private-healthcare-services/d... Other parts of Europe (and no doubt elsewhere outside the US) will be much cheaper still.