A recent survey from ADP found that only six in 10 employees understand their benefits packages provided by their employers.

The ADP HR/Benefits Pulse Survey on Employee Benefit Tools also found that four in five HR professionals think that it is important for their employees to completely comprehend their benefit plan.

"With many employees asked to take on greater responsibility for managing their own benefits, there is room for improvement by HR departments to engage employees in the decision-making process," said Tim Clifford, president of benefits services at ADP.

The survey also found that two-thirds of mid-size companies do not have a communications budget to help out employees, while one-third of large companies noted the same thing. Close to half of both types of companies noted budgets did not change this year compared to 12 months earlier.

If a consumer does understand their health insurance plan offered by their employer and still is unhappy with what they see, it may be a good idea to compare affordable health insurance quotes, as there may be alternative plans available.

A recent survey from GfK Custom Research North America showed that a significant percentage of employers are worried about what the new healthcare reform laws will bring, but many are planning on continuing to offer health insurance coverage.

Nearly six in 10 employers noted they will keep health insurance coverage for their employees no matter what, the survey said. Approximately one in 10 noted they were likely to stop offering such coverage. More than half of those polled stated they were concerned that health insurance costs will be on the rise.

"This survey suggests that firms aren't considering a wholesale flight from employee healthcare coverage as healthcare reform is implemented," said Tim Nanneman, vice president and director of health insurance research. "However, many employers are skeptical about the potential effects of healthcare reform."

Consumers who are concerned that this will affect them may want to check to ensure their health insurance coverage is sufficient. If not, it may not be a bad idea to compare affordable health insurance quotes.

A recent report from Colonial Life showed that many consumers who are employees in the public sector have a sub par knowledge of health benefits.

A total of 89 percent of human resource officials in the public sector reported that it is very important for an employee to understand their health benefits options, the report said. But only 54 percent noted that their workers have a remote understanding of such plans. Less than 45 percent noted their employees understand these plans well enough.

"Public sector employers have a tremendous opportunity to improve benefits communication without raising costs if they partner with a benefits provider that offers communication and enrollment services," said Pat McCullough, assistant vice president and public sector practice leader for Colonial Life."It doesn't have to cost them - or the taxpayers - one dime."

Consumers who do not understand their health insurance policy should examine the options that their employer offers them. If these turn out to be insufficient, it may be smart to examine private health insurance quotes to supplement them. 

A recent announcement from an employee benefits expert noted that companies may be able to utilize different methods to save money on health insurance, including trimming it or cutting it altogether.

Patrick Haraden, principal of Longfellow Benefits, recently spoke at a conference to explain options for companies in order to deal with the possibility of heatlhcare reform. One idea was that employees could pay in full for any dependent's coverage. This could cut down on the employer's costs, while still allowing the company to offer some type of healthcare plan.

"The opt-out credit is undergoing a revival," Haraden said. "This means rewarding employees who rely on their spouse's employee for coverage. Regulations, not human resources, define who's deemed a full-time, temporary or seasonal employee."

Consumers who work part-time or are involved in seasonal employment may want to still acquire a health insurance plan. In order to do this, it could be a good idea to examine multiple rates, as there could still be something that may be a perfect fit.

A recent survey from Kelton Research found that only 47 percent of consumers know exactly how much of their annual salary goes toward health insurance costs.

Only 35 percent of employees knew how much their deductible was, while slightly less knew how much they had to play for premiums of any dependents on the plan, the survey noted. Only 18 percent noted that they know how much their company puts toward their premiums each month.

More than four in five consumers think they are better prepared to pick a health insurance plan than their employers are, according to the survey, while 53 percent noted they would stay with the current plan they have if an open enrollment period appeared. Approximately one-third of those polled noted they go out of their way to review their health insurance plan annually.

Consumers may want to find out how much they pay per paycheck to their plan, as well as how much their employer spends. If the plan is not sufficient, it may be a good plan to look for other health insurance plans online.