Health insurance is a type of insurance coverage that pays for medical and surgical expenses incurred by the insured. It is designed to protect an individual or a family from high medical costs. There are several types of health insurance plans, including HMOs, PPOs, POSs, and EPOs, each with their own unique features and benefits. Health insurance plans can be provided by employers, purchased privately, or obtained through government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. Some countries have a National health insurance system where all citizens are covered.

Having health insurance is important as it helps pay for unexpected medical expenses and can prevent financial burden in case of a serious illness or injury.