[artplumber]

$2700 for a cataract? Maybe I should have been an ophthalmologist.

Seriously, it's unfortunate that you did not get the estimate from the hospital prior to having the procedure and that you had to have it done at the hospital instead of an outpatient surgery center (generally cheaper) or even while it was not covered. Maybe, you can find out the going rate for the insurance companies, and offer to pay only the equivalent amount.