High costs for individual health insurance programs have made many people worry about how they can afford adequate coverage. This holds true especially for those who want to retire early, but are over the age of 55.

Fortunately, financial assistance will be available for early retirees who are not eligible for Medicare yet. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently approved approximately 2,000 employers and unions to receive funds under the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program.

"In these tough economic times, it is difficult for employers to keep up with skyrocketing health care costs for employees and retirees," said HHS secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "Many Americans who retire before they are eligible for Medicare see their life savings disappear because of medical bills and exorbitant rates in the individual health insurance market."

Older Americans typically end up paying more for health insurance because they are considered a bigger liability to insure. Starting in 2014, health insurance exchanges are slated to be available for people to get individual health insurance quotes and coverage along with other valuable information.

The clock is ticking for many in the health care industry. With health care reform, numerous changes have to be made across the industry to be in compliance with new laws and regulations.

Many people are familiar with the requirement for most Americans to obtain health insurance. Some people may opt for group health insurance coverage through their employer while others may end up going with an individual health insurance plan. How a person goes about getting health insurance will ultimately depend on their own personal situation.

Another change coming to the health care industry is the full switch to electronic health records by 2014. For some, making the switch to EHRs may be difficult.

Protus vice president of marketing Steve Adams suggests organizations switch over to internet faxing to help ease the transition. Adams notes that with traditional fax machines, "the paper documents they produce require extra steps in order to be entered into an EHR system. Switching from a fax machine or fax server to an internet fax service is quick and easy, and will save healthcare organizations a lot of work in both the short- and long-term."

Health insurance companies have a lot to look out for these days. With the deadline for nationally mandatory health insurance still four years away, some companies may be trying to institute insurance hikes.

Under the Affordable Care Act, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced grant money totaling $46 million will be awarded to 45 states and the District of Columbia to help combat health insurance premium hikes.

"As we continue to implement the new health insurance reform law, we will continue to work with states to ensure they have the tools they need to ensure the stability of the marketplace, keep costs low and provide consumers with increased transparency, choice and quality they need to make the best health care decisions for their businesses and families," said Office of Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight director Jay Angoff.

There are several ways states have proposed using the funding. One way some states want to use the funds is to help create programs that will require approval before any rate increases can take place. Other states have proposed to use the funds to help make the health insurance review process more consumer-focused.

Healthcare reform has been viewed as a necessity by many people. Proponents for the reform say that health insurance shouldn't be considered a right, but something that is available to everyone. However, not everyone thinks that requiring health insurance is such a good idea.

The Arizona-based Goldwater Institute isn't so fond of healthcare reform. In fact, the watchdog organization is filing a lawsuit in an attempt to "protect health care freedom and preserve constitutional checks and balances."

Under healthcare reform, most Americans will be required to obtain health insurance. Small business owner and lead plaintiff Nick Coons says that he shouldn't have to get health insurance if he doesn't want to.

"The government is making me spend money on something that I don't want," says Coons. "Is a stranger who works for the government in some other part of the country really going to know what I need? I am the best qualified to make these decisions for myself."

People who fail to obtain health insurance by 2014 won't get away without a price. Those who neglect to get coverage stand to be fined by the Internal Revenue Service.

Consumer advocacy groups are calling for the government to look into premium hikes instituted by health insurance companies.

Consumer Watchdog and the Center for Media and Democracy assert that health insurance companies are jacking up their premiums before new legislation takes effect. A letter was sent to the Obama administration from the group asking them to look into the matter.

"Insurance companies appear to be making sure that when new federal rules for spending on health care kick in next year, they can keep their administrative bloat and profits intact," says Consumer Watchdog research director Judy Dugan.

Under healthcare reform, health insurance companies will be required to use a certain portion of premium money towards paying for care, rather than overhead costs. The watchdog group asserts that such a change is causing companies to raise prices.

Wendell Potter of the Center for Media and Democracy notes that recently Cigna reported spending 6.4 percent less on medical spending than they were before.

Earlier this year, a major health insurance company withdrew its proposal to significantly increase rates after it was determined that mathematical errors were made on the insurance agency's behalf.