Why is it embarassing? When you come to an hotel, one of the first things they say is ask you for your credit card. Same at a car rental counter or an airline counter. You won't get any service at any of those places unless you present means of payment upfront (and mind you, full payment, directly from you to them, without any delay - not a promise that after weeks or months after doing a lot of paperwork they will finally get a reduced payment and then will have to send you bills for your part, which you may or may not pay promptly). The difference is the hospital will treat you anyway if you are in a threatening condition, and other places won't provide their services without payment no matter how desperately you need them.