What is Health Insurance? How Does it Work?

In this guide, we'll break down everything you need to know about health insurance, including what it is, how it works, and the different types of plans available.

Health insurance, or health coverage, is a type of insurance that helps to cover the costs of medical care. It can help to pay for things like hospital stays, doctor visits, and prescription medicines. Health insurance can also help to pay for some of the costs of preventive care, like vaccinations. There are different types of health insurance plans.

Some plans cover more than others. Some plans also have lower premiums or deductibles than others. There’s a lot to consider when choosing a plan, including the out-of-pocket costs, coverage, and provider networks. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you understand how health insurance works and what to look for in a plan.

If this doesn’t answer your questions, you can also reach out to one of our certified financial planners for help. We’ll be happy to walk you through the process!

What is Health Insurance Used For?

Health insurance is a vital service that provides financial assistance to those who have medical needs. It acts as a form of protection, helping cover the cost of treatments and procedures for injuries, illnesses, and check-ups. For example, if you hurt yourself and need to go to the doctor, your health insurance can help cover the costs associated with that visit.

No matter which health insurance plan you decide to go with, it’s important to make sure you understand the cost of your coverage, including any premiums and deductibles.

What is a Deductible in Health Insurance?

A deductible is an amount that must be met before your health insurance starts to pay for services. For example, if you have a plan that has a $2,000 deductible, you must meet that annual amount before the insurance company will reimburse any money. The higher the deductible you set for your plan, the lower your monthly premium payments can be.


What is a Premium in Health Insurance?

A premium is how much you pay each month for health insurance coverage. The amount of your premium is determined by factors such as the type of plan you choose and the provider. Your deductible also affects the amount of your monthly premium payments, as plans with higher deductibles tend to have lower monthly premiums.

What Are Out-of-Pocket Maximums?

Out-of-pocket maximums are the most you will have to pay for your health care costs in a given year. Once you reach this limit, any additional covered medical expenses will be paid for by your insurance company. Depending on the type of plan you have chosen, out-of-pocket maximums can vary widely.

What is Co-Insurance?

Co-insurance is a type of cost-sharing agreement between you and your health insurance company. You pay a set percentage of the total cost for covered medical services, while your insurance company pays the rest. The exact percentages vary from plan to plan, so be sure to check with your provider to find out which co-insurance options are available.

Health Insurance is Essential

Health insurance is an essential part of getting the medical care you need.


When it comes to health insurance, there are several options you can consider. Private health insurance plans provide coverage from certain companies and networks, while public health insurance plans exist as government-provided assistance for individuals and families.

Government-sponsored health insurance plans, such as Medicare and Medicaid, are designed to help those in financial need obtain affordable medical care. On top of that, several factors affect how much one pays for the premium—the regular amount you pay for the plan—and the deductible—the amount you must pay out-of-pocket before the insurance kicks in.

No matter which type of health insurance you choose, each one can provide protection against unexpected costs and access to necessary doctors and treatments.

How To Buy Health Insurance

To secure a health plan, you must first understand the various types of coverage available. Then, you can shop around for different plans that fit your needs and budget.

To get started, it’s important to think about the following questions:

  • What is my current financial situation?
  • How much can I realistically afford to spend on health insurance and medical bills?
  • What level of coverage do I need?
  • Do I want a plan that covers pre-existing conditions?
  • Would I prefer an HMO, PPO, EPO, POS, or another type of plan?

Once you have determined what type of coverage best fits you, the next step is to compare different health insurance policies. Evaluate each plan’s health insurance premium costs, deductibles, co-pays, and network of providers to find one that meets your individual needs.



Depending on your financial situation, you can choose to get your health insurance policy through a government marketplace, such as healthcare.gov, or you can search private companies to find a health insurance plan or other types of health services such as vision and dental.

The Affordable Care Act

If you want to purchase health insurance and you meet certain income requirements, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) may provide you with financial assistance. The ACA is a federal health care law that requires most people to have and maintain minimum essential coverage or face a penalty. It also provides subsidies to eligible individuals and families who qualify based on their income level.

Private Health Plans

You can also get medical insurance through private health plans. Private plans typically require a monthly premium, and may also include an annual deductible or copayment for services. These plans are offered by employers as well as health insurance companies, including those that specialize in covering only certain types of medical costs (such as vision or dental coverage).

Medicare and Medicaid

For individuals who are over 65, disabled, or have limited income, Medicare and Medicaid provide health insurance programs. Medicare covers hospitalization, preventive care, and other medical services for individuals 65 and older. Medicaid is a joint federal-state program that provides health coverage to those with low incomes and certain disabilities.

Self-insurance

Some employers offer self-insured plans to their employees. Self-insurance means that the employer takes on the financial responsibility of providing health benefits to its employees rather than purchasing insurance from a third party. Employers must meet certain requirements to offer self-insured plans, such as maintaining reserve funds and filing annual reports with the state’s department of insurance.


Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are not a substitution for an insurance plan, but they are tax-advantaged savings accounts that can be used to pay for medical expenses. HSAs are typically linked to high-deductible health plans and allow individuals to save money on a pre-tax basis and use the funds for eligible medical expenses.

To be eligible for an HSA, individuals must have a high-deductible health plan, not be enrolled in Medicare or another government-sponsored healthcare program, and cannot be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return.

Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRAs)

Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRAs) are employer-funded accounts that can be used to reimburse employees for eligible medical expenses. HRAs are funded by employers and not subject to payroll taxes, so the employer can deduct the contributions from their business profits. Employees cannot contribute to an HRA and funds do not roll over from year to year like an HSA.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) are employer-funded accounts that can be used to reimburse employees for eligible medical, dental, and vision expenses. Funds in FSAs do not roll over from year to year and there is typically a “use it or lose it” policy if the funds are not used by the end of the coverage period. Employees cannot contribute to an FSA and employers cannot deduct contributions from their business profits.

Talk To a Certified Financial Planner Today!

If you’re trying to decide which of these accounts is right for your business, it’s important to discuss your options with a certified financial planner. We can help you weigh the pros and cons of each account and determine which will best suit your company’s needs, as well as provide guidance on IRS regulations, employee eligibility, and other important details. With our help, you can make an informed decision that will benefit both you and your employees.



Contact us today to get started with a consultation!

Frequently Asked Questions

Health insurance is a type of insurance that covers the costs of medical care for an individual or family. Health insurance plans typically cover doctor’s visits, hospital stays, medications, and other related medical expenses. Some plans also cover preventive care such as routine check-ups and vaccinations.

PPO stands for Preferred Provider Organization. PPOs are a type of health insurance plan that allows members to choose from a network of preferred providers and receive discounts on services provided by those providers.

An FSA, or Flexible Spending Account, is a way for people to set aside pre-tax money to pay for medical and dependent care expenses. This money can be used to cover copayments, deductibles, prescription drugs, eyeglasses, hearing aids, and many other medical expenses that are not covered by health insurance plans. The account is administered by an employer or a financial institution and contributions are limited based on IRS guidelines.

  1. Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs): These plans have a network of providers that must be used for the plan to cover any costs.
  2. Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs): These plans allow members to choose from a network of preferred providers and receive discounts on services provided by those providers.
  3. Point-of-Service (POS) Plans: These plans are hybrids of HMOs and PPOs, allowing members to receive services from both in-network and out-of-network providers.
  4. High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs): These plans offer lower premiums but require much higher deductibles before any coverage kicks in.
  5. Short-term Health Insurance: Designed to provide coverage for a short period of time, typically less than 12 months. These plans often come with fewer benefits and higher premiums.

Health insurance generally covers preventive care, such as doctor’s visits and immunizations, while medical insurance typically provides coverage for hospitalizations, surgeries, and other major medical expenses. Health insurance plans usually require members to pay a monthly premium in addition to co-payments or co-insurance amounts for specific services.

The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is a state and federal program that provides health insurance coverage to children in families who have limited income. CHIP offers comprehensive benefits, including preventive care, doctor visits, immunizations, hospitalizations, vision care, and dental care. In some states, CHIP also covers prescription drugs and mental health services. CHIP is administered by the states and is funded through a combination of state and federal money. Eligibility for CHIP varies from state to state, but in general, it covers children whose families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private health insurance.

A health insurance plan can help you pay for medical care, including doctor visits, hospitalizations, and preventive care. Having health insurance means that you are less likely to have to worry about paying high out-of-pocket costs for your health care services. Having health insurance also gives you access to quality care since it covers services like laboratory tests and prescription drugs that may be too expensive to purchase without insurance.

GETTING STARTED IS EASY

Want to see if we're right for you?
Take the first step by scheduling an intro meeting

Isn’t it time you got the real financial planning advice you’ve always wanted? The first meeting is on us.
There’s no cost, no sales pressure, and no judgement - just a conversation to see if we’re a good match.