Question on Houston Fire EMS ambulance bill

Had to go to the ER about 4 months back and got taken by ambulance through City of Houston Fire Dept EMS. Dealt with insurance and hospital bills last year and that was a strain but got through it.

Today I received a bill in the mail for the ambulance and it says after insurance it’s a nearly $2k cost! This seems quite high and don’t think I can pay the amount. I’m scared if I end up not paying in time it’ll go to collections and crap my credit.

Have any of you had experience with them? Do they negotiate? What are the options?