[bigDinosaur]

So you're arguing it's okay to send out numbers that have no bearing with reality? That seems to fit the literal definition of insane.

[dekhn]

Yes, this is known as "blue sky negotiation technique" and is a well-understood an successful way to frame prices.

[bigDinosaur]

I find this perspective absolutely alien when discussing healthcare, so I don't think there's much useful I can say about how it isn't crazy. Different cultural attitudes I suppose.