Myth#1: Since my employer provides me with health insurance, I'm OK.

Truth: While employer based group health insurance is the still the most common type of health insurance, there has been a reduction in the number of employers who provide health insurance. A growing number of employees are loosing their employer provided health insurance. Many employers are finding it difficult to continue to pay the rising costs of health insurance premiums and are no longer offering health insurance benefits. Another drawback, an employer group policy will only cover an employee while they are employed there. Should they loose or leave their job, the employee would be vulnerable, especially if he/she had health problems or pre existing conditions. Individual health insurance plans are portable so the employee can keep their coverage should they decide to change jobs or retire.

Myth#2: I'm healthy so I'll worry about health insurance when I get older or become sick.

Truth: It is usually more cost-effective to buy health insurance when you are younger and especially if you are healthy. The cost of buying health insurance tends to increase as you age. And buying coverage when you are young and healthy means you will already have the coverage if you develop a health condition later in life that could make you uninsurable. You purchase health insurance to protect against unforeseen risk. Health insurance is really no different than auto insurance... you can not get coverage after you have had an accident so why should health insurance be any different. If you can possibly afford insurance, then there is no excuse for not having it.

Myth#3: It is easy for individuals and small businesses to purchase health insurance.

Truth: Not really. Because the risk pool is smaller than employer group plans, health insurance rates are generally higher for these markets. This leaves the most vulnerable individuals - those with pre existing conditions - either unable to find insurance, or when they do find it, the premiums will be more than they can afford. At the same time, small businesses are seeing their premiums rise each year, often times to a point they can no longer afford to pay.

Myth#4: The uninsured are usually able to get health care even without health insurance.

Truth: Unfortunately, access to affordable health care services is greatly diminished for individuals lacking health insurance. The uninsured are more likely to delay health care, live with illness longer and when they do seek help, it is usually at the most expensive setting, such as the emergency room. Out-of-pocket expenses in this manner are far from cost-effective. Ensuring affordable health insurance will allow individuals to seek preventative care at appropriate times and hopefully stem the tide of mounting medical expenses.

Myth#5: Most uninsured individuals are uninsured by choice.

Truth: Most uninsured adults list cost, premium increases, and affordability as the major reasons for not having health insurance coverage. Additionally, others cited a loss of employment as a reason. Only about 10% give no real reason for not having health insurance. This would imply that most individuals do want health insurance but simply cannot afford it.

Most dog owners in America have not arranged for pet health insurance, and I'm not quite sure why. We all know just how important it is to have health insurance; so it makes sense that we should consider veterinary pet insurance to protect our pets.

It may at first look like just another regular expense; that is until dog owners are face to face with the expensive vet bills after their pet has an accident or gets sick. With everything around us is costing more and more money everyday, it is not surprising that vet fees have also risen as well; of course the knock-on effect has been a rise in pet insurance premiums. That being said, policies are much more affordable than you might expect.

The rising cost of medicine is one point to consider but is there any others to consider? Unfortunately, animals become sick from time to time or are involved in an accident. This can happen at any time and usually does when you can least afford it!

If this situation should occur, sometimes unfortunate choices have to be made; you know that treating your animal will place financial strain on you.

Keeping your dog healthy is a large financial responsibility; when money problems occur, temporary or otherwise, this causes further worries. Been there, done that. The worst of it is when you realized you had an opportunity to make a different decision that would have changed it all.

Don't let it get to that point. Both you and your dog deserve that much, in the very least.

If you love your dog, it should have the best treatment you can afford; owners with pet insurance do not have these concerns because they have whatever treatment they need. A pet health insurance plan does not have cost the earth; for around 20-40 dollars per month cost of medical care is assured. Make sure you research the companies well before making a decision. You want to fully understand what is and what is not covered. You don't want to discover that in an emergency situation. This is for piece of mind, not to create more questions.

Some dog insurance providers can arrange pet health care policies to meet certain needs; perhaps to incorporate more than one pet on the same plan. If you are a dog owner then perhaps this article has given you something to think about. And with a bit of luck this information will have convinced you of the importance of becoming educated on having your pet protected.

When a health insurance claim is rejected, your next steps will determine whether you win a reversal in your favor or get stuck with a big bill.

Contact your health insurance provider. A claims adjuster should be able to review the denial and resolve the issue if there was just a simple error, such as an incorrect diagnostic code. Make sure to keep a written record of your call, including the date, time and name of the person you spoke to. If you don't get anywhere with the phone call, request to begin the process of a formal claim review.

Ask for help. Take the details to your human resources department or benefits administrator. She/he should be able to call the insurance company for you or offer advice on how to proceed. You might also want to ask your doctor to call or write your insurance company to specifically explain why you needed the care you received.

Draft a letter. If the claim is still denied, write a letter to the claims manager and send copies to higher ups, such as regional vice presidents. Call your health insurance company for names and proper spellings. Politely explain why your claim should be covered and request a written response by a certain date.

Apply some pressure. If you still feel that your claim is legitimate and your insurer disagrees, file a complaint with your state insurance regulatory agency. Many states allow you to do this online. To find your state regulator, go to naic.org