MYTH 9: I'm a small-business owner and I'll pay big fines if I don't provide health insurance to my employees.

Small businesses that already provide health insurance will not be affected. "Penalties for not providing health coverage apply only to companies with 50 or more workers," says the Commonwealth Fund's Collins.

In fact, many small companies will be eligible for tax credits to offset the burden of providing insurance. From now through 2013, eligible employers will receive a business credit for up to 35 percent of their contribution toward employees' premiums. For 2014 and beyond, the tax credit rises to as much as 50 percent of the contribution. These credits apply to companies with fewer than 25 full-time employees whose average annual salaries are less than $50,000. Companies with more than 50 workers that don't provide coverage will be subject to a fine of $2,000 to $3,000 per employee per year.

MYTH 10: The ACA basically turns our health care system into universal health care. So now some government bureaucrat will decide how and when I get treated.

Health care under the ACA will not be government run. "The law builds on and strengthens the existing private insurance system," says Collins. "Fifty to 60 percent of people will continue to get insurance through an employer, and people who are buying their own insurance will still buy private health plans. The choice of plan is not dictated, and you'll be able to choose the provider you want — no government bureaucrat involved."

The health care system envisioned by the law aims to be universal in one way: by making health insurance accessible to the vast majority of Americans. "That's a good thing," says Brownlee. "We'll have more people covered."

MYTH 11: If my state doesn't set up an insurance exchange, I can't get health coverage.

The ACA calls for each state to create an exchange, a marketplace of private health insurance companies. This will give individuals and small businesses a place to shop for affordable coverage, with subsidies provided, starting in 2014. But some states have declined to set up an exchange or have moved slowly.

"If a state hasn't done it, then the Department of Health and Human Services will set up an exchange in that state," says Collins. "Each state will have an exchange operated by either the state or the federal government. And tax credits will be available in your state, regardless of who is running it."

Also of interest:

• Help make our health care system more affordable
• Medicare Part D & You

Go to the AARP home page for tips on keeping healthy and sharp, and great deals.