Health Insurance

Health Insurance is a financial mechanism designed to protect individuals and families from the high costs of medical care by covering part or all of healthcare expenses. It helps pay for services such as doctor visits, hospitalization, medications, preventive care, and diagnostic tests. Health insurance can be provided through government programs, employers, or private insurers and plays a crucial role in improving access to timely and quality healthcare. From a public health perspective, health insurance reduces financial hardship, encourages preventive care, and improves health outcomes by enabling early diagnosis and treatment. Lack of insurance is often associated with delayed care, poorer health status, and higher mortality. Effective health insurance systems focus on affordability, comprehensive coverage, equity, and sustainability. Expanding health insurance coverage is essential for achieving universal health coverage, reducing health disparities, and strengthening overall healthcare system performance.