From the halls of Congress to federal bureaucracies to state courts, this has been a productive year when it comes to reforming the U.S. health care system.

However, reform measures so far have been a patchwork of often confusing laws, regulations and judicial decisions instead of a coherent, comprehensive plan to improve the system. As a result, the industry is scrambling to make sense of the rapid changes and determine how to provide clients with the best benefits at the best price.

"The current U.S. health care industry is confusing and frustrating for many people," says Paul Roberts, senior director of education and market development for Word & Brown in Southern California. "This is due to a lack of knowledge among average consumers about how to use their health insurance plans, the alternative plan and affordability options available to them, and the basics of health care access and consumption.