A number of college students are returning to college campuses. With academics and social events on students' minds, some may neglect to make sure they have health insurance.

Wisconsin Insurance Commissioner Sean Dilweg is reminding students to review their insurance options this fall. He notes that a number of changes, particularly to health insurance, have occurred since they were last at school.

For example, effective September 23 of this year, some adult children won't have to purchase an individual health insurance plan. Rather, they can stay on their parents' policy until their 26th birthday.

Dilweg recommends students get in contact with their insurance provider to make sure all their insurance needs are squared away so they can focus on other matters.

"College life is difficult enough," says Dilweg. "Working with your insurance agent will ensure that students can focus on school and have the peace of mind from worrying about health insurance should they need it."

Also, under the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies cannot deny children coverage because of a pre-existing condition or place lifetime limits on care services.

When it comes to healthcare, many people think of doctor visits and individual health insurance plans. However, medication is also an important component to one's healthcare.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that nearly 50 percent of Americans took at least one prescription medication in the past month.

The American Pharmacists Association is urging pharmacists and consumers to talk about sticking to medication guidelines. The APhA says the healthcare system is burdened with more than $177 billion a year because patients don't properly follow their medication instructions

APhA executive vice president and CEO Thomas Menighan says pharmacists can play a role in patients adhering to medication guidelines.

"Medication adherence is a significant problem for the U.S. healthcare system, and as any healthcare provider will tell you 'drugs don't work in patients who don't take them,'" says Menighan.

Even something as simple as not refilling a prescription or deciding to stop a medication before receiving a doctor's permission is considered improper medication use. In some cases, patients may feel like they can't comply with proper medication use. Some prescription drugs can be more costly than people's budgets can accommodate.

One of the biggest changes to the country's healthcare system is the implementation of health insurance exchanges. Starting in 2014, consumers will have more options to consider for affordable individual health insurance quotes.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is awarding $49 million to states to help get the health insurance marketplace prepared. Members of Congress will also use the markets to fulfill their health insurance needs.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says the exchanges will allow individuals to come together to have the same power as large companies.

"Today, too many individuals and small businesses are on their own in dealing with insurance companies," says Sebelius. "They pay higher costs than Americans who get their insurance through big companies or other large employers because they can't pool their costs or spread the risk."

The high costs associated with obtaining health insurance have forced some to go without coverage. In other cases, those who have kept their health insurance have watched a growing portion of their paycheck go towards the expense. The government hopes that the healthcare exchanges will allow people to get health insurance at more affordable rates.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has gained a great deal of media attention. Recently, a number of provisions became effective. However, many are still waiting to see how employer healthcare programs will be affected by the laws.

A HighRoads study reveals that nearly half of employers plan to bolster their preventative care benefit offerings. Currently, 60 percent of respondents said they offer at least some preventative care services free of charge.

HighRoads principal Josh Miley says there may be a surge of people receiving preventative care services, especially if they have been forced to forgo care due to financial constraints in the past.

"Unfortunately, given the current economic environment, many believe that employees have foregone preventative care when copays are required in lieu of paying their mortgage or other necessary bills," says Miley. "This may contribute to a spike in utilization once copayments are removed."

Preventative care is extremely important for patients to receive. Early detection of some conditions can delay their onset. A heightened risk of developing type 2 diabetes, for example, can be greatly reduced through proper diet and exercise.

With healthcare being a major topic of discussion in the news as of late, more people are closely looking at their own health insurance options. A recent survey conducted by a major health insurance provider reveals that 40 percent "somewhat" understand their benefits package.

Part of the reason so many respondents say they don't completely understand their health insurance options is the language used. More than 70 percent said the open-enrollment process would be easier for them if simpler terminology was used instead of complex jargon.

It's important for people to completely understand their coverage options in order to make the most educated decision. Health insurance needs can change over time. A certain level of coverage may be needed for small children, while another one might be necessary for those who are getting ready to attend college, for example.

A number of employers are also beginning to roll out health savings accounts as part of their benefits offerings. Employees should make sure they are well-versed in the program offerings before deciding whether they want to participate, especially if they haven't used a similar plan in the past. Such accounts can help save on family health insurance bills.