People seeking affordable health insurance quotes may have to look harder to find them in the near future. Research from Aon Hewitt reveals HMO premiums are expected to increase nearly 10 percent next year.

The projected 9.8 percent rate hike is up slightly from the 9.4 percent seen between 2009 and 2010. Aon attributed the hike to several factors.

Aon says HMO plans are most popular among older people as the coverage features more robust offers at a higher price. PPOs, on the other hand, are less expensive and can be a good option for those who are young and in good health. Aon says HMO plan participants may be a higher risk to insure in general.

Aon Hewitt's HMO principal and leader Jeff Smith says that while employers have tried to mitigate increasing healthcare costs, there is only so much that can be done.

"If HMO rates continue to outpace average health care cost increases, employers may elect to take even more aggressive steps in the coming years, such as eliminating HMO plans altogether," says Smith. 

Detecting a disease in its early stages is crucial for successful treatment. Many patients can combat a condition more effectively through early diagnosis.

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, health insurance companies will be required to cover expenses associated with certain preventative care tests, including many of those for cancer.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, colorectal cancer is one of the most fatal forms of the disease. More than 50,000 died from the condition in 2006, says the CDC. Furthermore, the CDC notes that colorectal cancer is increasingly prevalent among older African-Americans.

Dr. Marcus Plescia, division of cancer prevention and control director, says early screening is crucial.

"More work is needed to widely implement evidence-based cancer screening tests which may lead to early detection and, ultimately, an increase in the number of lives saved," says Plescia.

Patients should ensure they are getting the appropriate screenings when they see their doctor. Those who have avoided visiting their physician due to costs can research affordable health insurance quotes or look into federal plans in order to find coverage. 

With healthcare costs and living expenses high, many people are searching for affordable health insurance quotes. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says the Affordable Care Act will help ensure people's coverage is a good value.

Prior to current laws, health insurance companies did not face scrutiny as intense as they do today. One of the provisions of the act requires insurers to spend at least 80 percent of policyholder premiums on care. A proposed rate hike would have to be justified by the company.

Office of Consumer Information and Insurance director Jay Angoff says the new rules will help ensure insurance providers don't inflate prices.

"These rules were carefully developed through a transparent and fair process with significant input from the public, the states, and other key stakeholders," says Angoff. "As we build a bridge to 2014, when better, more affordable options are available to consumers, these rules will help make health insurance fairer for consumers now."

By 2014 most people will be required to have health insurance. Coverage can be obtained through a variety of sources, including an employer, an exchange or the government. 

Healthcare reform doesn't just affect people with group or individual health insurance plans. Medical professionals also stand to feel the impact the new laws will bring.

A study by Conning Research and Consulting looked at how reform may change the medical operating landscape. Furthermore, the research investigated possible changes in pricing and new markets.

The study reveals that growth in the sector will be mitigated due to more competition and new regulations.

Conning director of research Stephen Christiansen says the healthcare market is changing, as is the way it responds to certain actions.

"The delivery of healthcare is changing and this will change the way medical professional liability insurers view and manage risk, defend claims, manage data, price policies, choose markets, and expand," says Christiansen.

Under healthcare reform, for example, insurers are no longer allowed to deny coverage based on a pre-existing condition. Furthermore, health insurance companies face increased scrutiny for proposed rate hikes. Companies will also be required to allocated a specified amount of premium payments specifically towards patient care.

Some insurance providers tried to opt out of offering child-only policies earlier this year. However,state regulators quickly clamped down on this behavior.
 

Diabetes diagnoses are increasing year after year, and the economic consequences of the disease can be devastating. Consumers may feel the impact of the condition through higher health insurance premiums.

According to a major health insurance provider, diabetes is responsible for 10 percent of healthcare spending in the country. That equates to approximately $194 billion this year alone.

A representative from the insurance company, says change needs to come from various sources to get the diabetes crisis under control.

"Making a major impact on the pre-diabetes and diabetes epidemic will require health plans to engage consumers in new ways, while working to scale nationally some of the most promising preventive care models," says the representative. "Done right, the human and economic benefits for the nation could be substantial."

Eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise are key to preventing a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Furthermore, living a healthy life style can help one save money through fewer doctor's visits and less medical care.

Consumers can also save money by searching for affordable health insurance quotes online.