It's not uncommon for some people to feel as though their paycheck doesn't go as far as it once did. Research shows it may not be just a feeling, but a fact.

The Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research and Educational Trust recently revealed results from their Employer Health Benefits Survey. Their data reveals that workers on average are paying $482 a year more for family health coverage than they did in 2009.

With many businesses still struggling financially, many companies are saddling more of their employees with healthcare costs.

HRET president and American Hospital Association research vice president Dr. Maulik Joshi says burdening employees with healthcare costs can have consequences.

"High out-of-pocket expenses and premiums affect health care decisions for patients," says Joshi. "If premiums and costs continue to be shifted to consumers, households will face difficult choices, like forgoing needed care, or reexamining how they can best care for their families."

Even though costs may seem high, people shouldn't go without health insurance. In the event of a serious illness or accident, hospital bills could far exceed the monthly insurance premiums paid.

When a person becomes ill and needs medication, in most cases they can easily obtain a prescription drug that will treat their ailment. However, even with the best health insurance available, some conditions can't be treated because they are resistant to frequently used medications.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority recently announced they are awarding funds worth between $27 and $464 million in contracts to help support research of antibiotics used to fight bioterrorism and antibiotic resistant infections.

"This new antibiotic is part of our push against antibiotic resistance for certain bacterial infections, and at the same time could provide a new treatment for plague and tularemia biothreats," said BARDA Director Dr. Robin Robinson. "It's the first time BARDA research and development funds have been used in a multi-use approach like this."

The National Network for Immunization Information says antibiotic resistance is growing in common illnesses such as meningitis and pneumonia. They cite the frequent use of antibiotics, sometimes when not necessary, for the growing level of resistance.

With the unemployment rate still high at 9.5 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a number of people are relying on Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act for their health insurance needs. COBRA allows people to stay on their employers health insurance plan at their own expense.

Research by consulting firm Aon says COBRA is being strained from the increased number of people relying on the coverage. They report that more people are utilizing COBRA services as they get closer to losing the coverage all together.

Aon senior vice president Tom Lerche says people should expect to see additional expenses coming their way.

"In addition, we expect to see new costs related to excise taxes and potential cost shifting from reductions in Medicare reimbursement to providers, which will be on top of existing long-term medical trend inflation," Lerche said. "These factors will lead many employers to consider increased employee contributions for health coverage, as well as plan design cost sharing."

Employees have already begun to pay higher health insurance premiums. The Kaiser Family Foundation says premiums for employer-sponsored plans increased almost 8 percent from 2005 to 2006 and just over 9 percent the year before that.

It could be said that the best way to treat a condition is to prevent it from happening at all. That is why preventative care services can play such an important role in a person's health and in keeping costs down for health insurance companies and employers.

A survey by the Midwest Business Group on Health looked into the relationship between employers and preventative care services. Virtually all employers surveyed said that they played a role in their staff getting preventative care services. Also, the survey shows that employers are mainly motivated to offer such services because they can help keep employees healthy and more productive.

"Employers are increasingly investing resources in preventive care and wellness programs to reduce health care costs and improve the health and productivity of their employees," said MBGH president and CEO Larry Boress.

Getting screened for certain conditions like diabetes, for example, can greatly reduce health care costs down the road. If a patient knows they are at risk for developing the disease, they can alter their lifestyle to reduce their chances.

With the signing of the Affordable Care Act comes many changes. It's not just the health insurance companies who anticipate feeling a financial pinch in the future. Employers who are offering health insurance as a benefit foresee having to reexamine their budgets as well.

According to a survey by the National Business Group on Health, 53 percent of large U.S. employers surveyed anticipate making changes to their benefits plans. Additionally, 25 percent of employers said they plan on increasing co-payments for prescription drugs.

National Business Group on Health president Helen Darling says that employers must be aware of the financial impact health care will have on their company financially.

"While the health reform law has forced employers to evaluate their health care benefit strategies and decide whether to comply with the law or lose grandfathered status, they haven't lost sight of the fact that controlling rising costs remains one of, if not their highest priority," said Darling. "They have to foot the bill, not the government."

Many people obtain their health insurance coverage through their employer. Those who do not have that option turn to the government for assistance or pay for the coverage on their own.