Health insurance is a must for everyone. No one should be without health coverage, yet millions of Americans lack health insurance. A simple trip to the doctor's office is costly enough to keep many uninsured persons from getting proper care.

No one is immune from the devastating financial hardship that can arise from a serious medical illness or injury. Health insurance significantly curtails your out-of-pocket expenses that could otherwise financially cripple you. But the cost of insurance can be quite high too if you don't understand how to best utilize what's out there.

Fortunately, many people are covered by employer health plans. Employers subsidize the actual cost of insurance to you. In years past, many employers used to shoulder the entire burden of your health insurance premiums. Today, employers are asking you to pay a portion of those insurance premiums.

It is important to realize two things:

• Obtaining coverage through an employer has many features and benefits you most likely will not be able to obtain individually
• Employer coverage can reduce your premium payments dramatically