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.