Prescription medications are expensive, and many doctors seem to become “prescription-happy.” These doctors’ first response to a patient complaint is usually to prescribe something new if something doesn’t work the first time. Even if you’re just taking one or two medications, you could be paying more than you need if you are taking brand name drugs, instead of generics.

According to a recent study, led by Dr. Aaron Kesselheim of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, this is particularly true when it comes to medications prescribed for the treatment of heart and cardiovascular conditions. According to the researchers, there is no evidence to suggest that brand name drugs work any better than their generic counterparts.

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From cancer treatment to breast reduction, insurance companies offer a wide array of coverage for those needing medical treatment. One such procedure that insurers will not cover is a lobotomy. Dr. Walter Freeman was the doctor responsible for bringing the lobotomy procedure to the United States in the 1930’s. It was used to potentially remedy mental illness and other disorders of the brain however the lobotomy procedure did not see much success. There are a few reasons today why insurance companies refuse to cover this type of medical procedure.

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