To patients' surprise, a visit to urgent care brings steep hospital bill

The complaints submitted to Attorney General Maura Healey’s office all described a similar scenario: Patients sought treatment in an ordinary physician office or urgent care center. But to their shock, they were billed for an expensive outpatient hospital visit instead. After a routine checkup with a primary care doctor in Revere, one patient was charged an extra $372 “hospital’’ fee, according to one complaint.