Not all medical care facilities have the same philosophy when it comes to caring for patients. A report by the Center for Healthcare Research and Transformation detected regional differences in terms of how often certain procedures were performed.

While the study found unevenness in terms of how often certain procedures were performed, they also found that some procedures were being used less throughout Michigan. This was particularly true for procedures that were "over-utilized."

Center for Healthcare Research and Transformation director Marianne Udow Phillips says much can be gained from understanding regional differences in healthcare.

"Geographic variation has been well-documented nationally and was a significant topic of discussion during the debate on health reform," says Udow Phillips. "Developing a better understanding of variation in the use of health care services could support state and national efforts to improve quality and contain costs in the health care system."

Before getting any procedure done, it's wise for patients to get a second opinion from a medical professional and make sure their group or individual health insurance provider will help cover expenses.