According to a Boston Globe study, worker's health insurance premiums have increased 84 percent since 2000, while wages have increased only 20 percent. The increased cost of health insurance is pushing many employers to drop traditional employee coverage or shift more costs to workers. Workers in turn are looking for new ways to affordably protect themselves and their families.

"Individually purchased health insurance plans offer a great solution for many people," says eHealthInsurance executive Bruce Telkamp. "In the individual and family health insurance market, consumers will find the broad selection and flexibility they need to get quality coverage at a price they can afford."

Consumers can find a number of online resources designed to explain their health insurance options. Web sites like eHealthInsurance.com help users learn more about their choices, find the plans best suited to their needs, and apply for coverage quickly and easily.

"To find health insurance solutions that work for them, consumers are thinking critically about their needs," adds Telkamp. "They're asking: Do I need maternity benefits? Unlimited coverage for prescription drugs? How much am I willing to pay for a doctor's visit or in case of hospitalization? Consumers want to see how their options stack up and find a health plan custom-fit to their needs."

As the number one online health insurance agency, eHealthInsurance has helped over a million Americans find health insurance coverage through comparison shopping for plans with the click of a mouse. Consumers choose from over 7,000 health insurance plans offered by over 160 leading health insurance companies nationwide. The service is free. Consumers provide basic information about themselves and receive a list of health insurance quotes based on their criteria. Results may be sorted by premium, deductible, plan type or covered doctors. Special comparison and recommendation tools are also provided to help consumers research and purchase a health plan.

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