Some insurers insist that patients forgo generics and buy brand-name drugs
I have United Healthcare, and I have to say I've seen this happen to me as well.  I'm on a long term maintenance medication, which is delivered by patch.  I was on the generic in my previous health plan, so my new doctor prescribed the same generic.<p>I used the mail order pharmacy and they told me that a 90 day supply would cost $347.  I asked why it was so much, and where my prescription benefits came in.  They said they didn't cover the generic, and I said well do you cover the name brand one?  They said they did, but they couldn't give it to me because my doctor had ordered the generic.  If I ordered the name brand, it would be $100 for a 90 day supply, which is a huge difference.<p>I called my doctor, and got them to change the prescription.  None of the people at United Healthcare were offering any of this information, and I basically had to pry it out of them to figure out why they were trying to gouge me.  Also, this was their own private mail order pharmacy, so all the money was going to them as well.<p>Ask a lot of questions before paying a lot of money.