What is the primary purpose of health insurance?

The primary purpose of health insurance is to cover the cost of medical expenses for individuals. This includes expenses related to hospital stays, surgeries, outpatient procedures, and preventive care, among others. Health insurance aims to reduce the financial burden of healthcare services, making it more accessible for individuals to receive necessary medical treatment without facing overwhelming costs.

While dental expenses, life insurance benefits, and long-term disability coverage may be important, they fall outside the core focus of health insurance. Dental expenses often require separate coverage under dental insurance policies. Life insurance is designed to provide financial support to beneficiaries upon the insured’s death, which is distinct from health insurance’s focus on medical costs. Long-term disability coverage provides income protection in case an individual is unable to work due to a disability, but this is separate from the coverage for medical-related expenses that health insurance specifically addresses.