When it comes to medical care, it's not just about having affordable family health insurance. It's important for people to have quality care when they visit the doctor or hospital.

A recent study by a CareChex, part of a group that specializes in rating hospital and doctor care, found there is a wide level of disparity in care levels from state to state and from urban to more rural areas.

While North Carolina ranked low for quality care, it was rated high in patient satisfaction. On the other hand, Connecticut and Ohio scored well in quality, but low on patient satisfaction. The District of Columbia, however, ranked the lowest for both quality and patient satisfaction.

National Business Coalition on Health President and CEO Andrew Webber says the survey reveals that just because a patient's aliments are cured, doesn't mean they had a satisfactory experience.

"From the perspective of employers and purchaser-based coalitions, employee satisfaction with the care they receive is an important part of the hospital's overall value equation - there's simply no reason why we shouldn't expect quality care to be provided along with a positive patient experience," says Webber.

Health website WebMD says there are ways consumers can take charge of their care while in the hospital. They suggest patients learn their rights and plan ahead, among other things.

Thousands of restaurant employees who struggled to find affordable individual health insurance quotes in the past will have access to health insurance.

The Restaurant Health Care Alliance is a collaboration of efforts between the National Restaurant Association and a major health insurance company. It's estimated that more than half a million restaurant workers will gain access to healthcare at more affordable prices.

Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell says offering affordable health insurance options to more workers in the state is important.

"Providing health care coverage options to restaurant employees and helping restaurant owners – many of whom are small business owners - cut through the complexity of the health care market is critical to the success of this important industry in Pennsylvania which currently represents nearly 10 percent of our total workforce," says Rendell.

Salaries can vary greatly in the restaurant industry depending on the type of establishment and job title. Data from the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics reveals cooks, for example, earn anywhere from $22,120 to more than $66,680. Those on the lower end of the pay scale may experience more difficulty affording health insurance coverage.

A major health insurance company and North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin have come to an agreement that will put back $155.8 million into the pockets of more than 215,000 individual health insurance policy holders.

The refunds are a result of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Some individual health insurance policy holders are getting money back from active life reserves, which set aside money at the beginning of a policy in order to pay for more expenses later on.

Goodwin says he is pleased that many North Carolina consumers will be getting some money back and he is "also glad that we were able to negotiate a lower-than-requested rate adjustment that will save $14.5 million in future premiums for policyholders."

The insurance company requested a 6.97 percent increase on policies, but they had to settle on the 5.37 percent approved by the state insurance agency.

North Carolinans aren't the only ones getting money returned from their health insurance company. Recently, some Colorado residents found they would be getting a premium credit after an investigation of a health insurance company's practices.