The CA law is kind of BS. My partner went to see doc, they ran a few tests, told her it would probably be covered by insurance and then we got a bill for $1700. They said it wasn't "surprise" bill because it wasn't out of network. I told them "it is a surprise to us!"
From then on, we always ask the cost of every single test/procedure. (In fairness to the hospital, they did give us a $50/month, interest free payment plan.)