Wayne,
We are in Northern Calif, about 120 miles north of Sacramento. In the Sacto area there is "THE LAB" company, which doesn't contract w/HMO's, etc. For example, a CMP is $35.00!!! We send some of our cash/high deduct pts there when they are able to drive that far. Even with the price of gas it's much cheaper than the other corp giants. I actually heard about them thru their radio ad. Maybe there are facilities like that out your way, but they obviously don't spend tons for advertising.
