Health insurance is a type of coverage that can protect you from the full expense of regular health care, as well as the costs of medical and surgical procedures. In exchange for paying a premium, your insurance company will cover the costs of your healthcare and certain types of medical procedures. Health insurance plans may be available from your employer, but you also have the option of purchasing your healthcare coverage privately. If you are self-employed or unemployed, you may have group insurance options through professional associations, in addition to private health insurance.

Health insurance can cover a variety of things, from your regular checkups and family care to your major medical expenses. The types of services that are covered will vary with different healthcare providers and plan types, so it is important to determine your needs before buying a specific health insurance plan. Physician office visits are one of the most common things that health insurance covers. Other common covered services include hospital room and board, emergency room visits, and inpatient substance abuse treatment. Some things that you might think would be covered under a standard policy, such as chiropractic care and MRI’s, may not be; however, thanks to the the passing of the Affordable Care Act, most routine preventive services are covered in full. Some insurance policies will cover vision services and surgeries while others will not. Special tests may not be covered and you should not expect all services to be covered 100 percent. There is normally an out-of-pocket expense, through a co-pay, coinsurance or deductible.