I suppose it would be pointless to mention that there is a bit of a difference between a 2x4 and major surgery? But to use your analogy, if you call up and ask for the price of a 2x4 would the guy on the phone be able to answer you? Not without knowing the details - 8 foot, 10 foot, 12 foot, stud length? Pine or redwood? Plain or pressure treated? Yet you expect the hospital to quote a set price on open heart surgery or knee replacement or whatever without knowing all the details of what will be involved in the operation.
That went completely over your head. The point being, the clerk is not going to ask....“You want someone else to do your work for you?”. The clerk is going to ask questions to be sure both are on the same page. That’s their job. And yes, calling about a 2x4x8’ (notice I included the footage again...which you must’ve missed in my original comment) is much different than major surgery. But, the person quoting the surgery price should naturally include a caveat RE other possible prices if there are complications. That should be their job.