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.

Some insurers have been accused of trying to raise premiums and giving higher medical insurance quotes before all of the new provisions of healthcare reform set in. Earlier this year, for example, multiple health insurers tried to raise rates in California. Their requests were withdrawn after a mathematical error was detected in their proposal paperwork.

Recently, New York State Insurance Department Superintendent of Insurance James Wrynn sent a letter to health insurance companies saying they must provide detailed information for proposed rate hikes.

Wrynn says consumers need accurate information in order to make decisions.

"New York's new prior approval law requires insurers to send written notice of proposed rate increases, including the specific change requested, to insureds so they can understand the rate increase and ask questions or provide comments to the insurer or the insurance department," says Wrynn.

Furthermore, Wrynn mentions in his letter that some insurers have sent their customers misleading information to back their rate increases. He wrote that companies need to clearly and accurately explain components of higher rates.

A number of people get health insurance through their employer or from the government. Those in search of other affordable health insurance options may begin to look elsewhere. However, those people need to make sure they check the credentials of the company they plan to use.

More than 150 Missouri consumers were duped into purchasing what the insurance commission calls "bogus health insurance plans." The Missouri Insurance director John Huff has ordered eight companies to pay $1 million in fines to the state and stop operating.

"In a difficult economy and a time when health insurance is becoming more expensive, these companies took the money from Missouri consumers and ran," says Huff. "Consumers need to be on the lookout for fake health insurance, and should call our department to check these companies out."

The fraudulent companies conducted most of their business through junk faxes. When consumers tried to use what they thought was health insurance, they found out it was merely a discounted medical plan. Consumers who tried to cancel the plan were unable to get in contact with the alleged company.

Several provisions under the Affordable Care Act are set to take affect this Thursday. While many have lauded the government's efforts to expand healthcare coverage, opponents remain.

The Coalition to Protect Patients Rights spokesman Dr. Donald Palmissano says the healthcare bill will not result in people getting more affordable health insurance quotes. In fact, he asserts costs will increase.

"It's not surprising to those of us who paid attention to the legislative process that a new government analysis would show health care costs are going to be higher under the reform bill than they would have been without passage of the law," says Dr. Palmisano.

The group references data released by Aon Consulting showing reform will result in a 2 percent to 5 percent rate increase. Furthermore, the data from Aon anticipates more than a 10 percent increase in costs for many different types of healthcare plans.

Starting this week, young adults under the age of 26 will be able to remain on their parents' health insurance plans, and children with pre-existing conditions cannot be denied 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.