However, this is a two way street... Sometimes, the insurance company will only give full coverage to certain, less expensive drugs that, while similar, will not actually take care of the problem...
For instance, my insurance company would cover the generic of Tagamet (Cimetadine), but not Prilosec. I was on Tagamet for over a year to treat an ulcer. The Dr suggested that I try Prilosec. I was on it for 1 month, and I've been free of the ulcer for nearly a year. However, while the cimetadine would only cost me $15 for a month's Rx, the Prilosec cost me $80.
Another terrific example is a treatment for Crohns disease. The medication that my Dr perscribed was Pentasa, which is similar to Sulfasalazine. The problem is where the medication is delivered. Due to my Crohns disease, Sulfasalazine really isn't effective, since it delivers the drug in the stomach, rather than the intestines, which is where Pentasa delivers it. A 30 day supply of sulfasalzine is $15, since it's on the list... A 30 day supply of Pentasa is $115.
While some Drs do perscribe the "latest and greatest" drugs, just because they are newer, in some cases, they just happen to be the right drugs for the condition.
Mark
Annoying if you have to foot that bill yourself, but converting that into a "tax" comes out to $2.67 a day.