A report from the Institute for Alternative Futures showed that many healthcare patients could be paying much higher fees by 2025.

"Primary Care 2025: A Scenario Exploration," showed that the total cost of healthcare could increase significantly over the next several years. While 2011 figures show the healthcare costs for the country are as much as 17 percent of the country's gross domestic product, it could increase to 20 percent of that by 2020. In addition, health insurance premiums could increase, as they have jumped 131 percent from 1999 until last year.

"Community health centers will give high-quality care to  low-income people, and a small persistent group of affluent will receive great fee-for-service 'concierge' healthcare," said Clem Bezold, chair of the Institute for Alternative Futures. "You will see more virtual care, personal health avatars and doctors operating remotely. But the scenarios also include challenging and visionary possibilities."

While 2025 may be quite far off, it could be a good idea to note that affordable health insurance rates could be difficult to come by in the future. Instead, it may be a good process to compare health insurance plans to see what the most practical option is for the long-term.

The average per capita cost of healthcare under Medicare or private health insurance plans rose during the month of November, but not as much as it did in October.

The S&P Healthcare Economic Composite Index showed that in November, the rate increased by 5.13 percent year-to-date. This is below October's year-to-date rate of 5.29 percent.

"After seeing a few months of increasing annual growth rates, particularly across commercial insurance plans, November's data presented us with some moderation in healthcare costs," said David Blitzer, chairman of the index committee at S&P Indices.

Commercial insurance plan claim costs increased by 6.96 percent in November, which was less than the previous month's figure of 7.1 percent, according to the report. In addition, the Medicare figure was also down from October, as in November it rose 2.37 percent, lower than the gain of 2.55 percent in October.

Affordable health insurance rates could be affected by overall healthcare spending, so it may benefit consumers to ensure they are utilizing the most affordable plan.

A recent survey completed jointly between the Emily Post Institute and the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases showed that many Americans may not be taking influenza as seriously as they say they do.

The survey, "Are you That Guy?", showed that while more than 80 percent of Americans think that those who have flu-like symptoms should stay away from others until they are feeling better, close to two-thirds said that in the past three years, they have hung around others while dealing with some stage of influenza themselves. The illness is contagious and can be spread easily.

"Most of us try our best to be considerate and do the right thing," said Anna Post, great-great-granddaughter of Emily Post and co-author of the 18th edition of the Emily Post's Etiquette book. "While people recognize that the flu virus spreads easily, they admit to tossing proper etiquette aside when they have the flu."

There are many affordable health insurance rates available for consumers to take advantage of, and it may be a good idea to make sure a person and their family are properly insured in case someone becomes ill during flu season.

Many consumers are trying to quit smoking, but with recent budget cuts, government help may be harder to find, according to The Los Angeles Times.

The habit of smoking is the top cause of death in the country that is considered preventable. The source noted that approximately 70 percent of current smokers are trying to quit, but don't have the ability to, as they need help. Government-funded programs that promote smoking cessation have been cut by more than one-third over the past four years, as budget cuts are becoming the norm across the country. Of the money allocated for tobacco cessation, most states will be spending around 2 percent of it in 2012.

"It's a travesty," Danny McGoldrick, vice president for research at the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, told the news source. "These programs more than pay for themselves."

For consumers who want to quit smoking, but don't think their health insurance plan will help pay for their cessation attempts, it may be smart to look for affordable health insurance rates. Not only will the consumer save money, but they may find a sufficient insurance plan, as well.

Some moms may be unaware of some important aspects of germ knowledge, and this is something that is important to learn about when dealing with young children, according to a survey from Playtex.

A significant portion of moms did not score well in the survey, which shows there is room for improvement when it comes to germ knowledge. While nearly every mom noted the importance of washing hands after each diaper change, less than 35 percent of new moms knew that the diaper-changing table was the top area for germs.

"Keeping the nursery as clean and as germ-free as possible is such an important aspect for most parents," said Dr. Benjamin Tanner, a germ expert and microbiologist who partnered with the company in the study. "But when we surveyed moms, we found that they generally aren't aware of the best ways to do it. The good news is, with the right knowledge, keeping germ levels to a minimum in the nursery is much easier than most moms think."

Moms who are concerned about their young children's well-being may benefit from examining their insurance plan. If the coverage is not up to their standards, it may be a good idea to compare health insurance quotes and find the best fit.