Health insurance is one way to pay for the costs associated with you and your loved one’s health care. It can protect you from paying the full expense of medical services needed when you’re sick or injured. Designed like car insurance or home insurance, you pick a plan that works for you and agree to pay the specific rate, or premium, each month. In return, your health insurer agrees to pay a part of your covered medical costs. Payments by your health insurance are generally based on rates they negotiate with healthcare providers.