A report from the Generic Pharamceutical Association showed that during 2011, the country saved approximately $193 billion from using generic medicines instead of brand-name options.

The report also showed that the savings to consumers over the past 10 years surpassed $1 trillion last year. In addition, total savings in 2011 were 22 percent higher than the previous year. This was the largest gain of its kind since 1998. Total savings over that period was $481 billion. From the year before, nearly 60 percent of the medicines fell under the categories of antidepressants, cardiovascular and anticonvulsants.

"The Generic Drug Savings study shows conclusively that, as Congress and the White House gear up for the fiscal challenges facing them in the coming year, generic and biosimilar utilization are the best places to go for the 'offsets' that everyone will be desperately seeking," said Ralph G. Neas, president and CEO of GPhA.

If a person's healthcare plan doesn't have strong enough medicinal options, it may be time to look for another policy. By going online and comparing multiple health insurance quotes, the patient may find something more affordable.