<human>: Can you condense the text into three sentences or less?

Background:  I just got my own health insurance policy for the first time, and am in the process of dealing with my first set of claims (a visit to the podiatrist).  I made the initial visit, and 2 follow ups, and after the 2nd follow up, was told I need an x-ray.  Because I'm on a high-deductible plan, I pay the "negotiated contract" price up to a $2000 annual deductible, so this forces me to be a bit more aware of the costs of my healthcare procedures.  So...I call the insurance company and asked them if they could tell me what an x-ray would cost, thinking this would be an easy task.  I was wrong.  The rep told me that if I called the doctor and got the CPT codes they would use, she could put in a request and I'd have my fee 2 business days later.  2 DAYS!

So this brings me to my question, why are these codes as complex as the representative made them out to be.  Since they are universal codes, why isn't there some online service when I pick my insurance provider, then my plan, the codes they'll use, and my doctor, and in the end, I get a price??
<bot>: CPT codes; how do they work, and why can't I look up prices online when I know the codes, the insurance provider/plan, and the doctor.