The vast majority of the money employers and employees spend on health plan premiums goes to pay doctors' fees, hospital charges and other medical expenses. Therefore, the most important thing consumers can do to hold the line on rising insurance premiums is to learn to spend health care dollars wisely. Spending more money on health care most certainly does not guarantee a quicker cure, but it does guarantee that you, your co-workers and your fellow Americans will face a heavier health cost burden.

On the other hand, being a proactive consumer means not only that you are likely to get better care, but also that you'll save precious health care dollars. That benefits you in two ways: lower out-of-pocket costs for you in the short run and a smaller burden for everyone in the long run.

10 tips to help you get the most for your health care dollar.
(Employers: Print this out and distribute it to employees.)