Health Insurance: Definition, Examples & Coverage

Meaning 1：medical cost coverage (health insurance)

health insurance 🔊

/hɛlθ ɪnˈʃʊrəns/

A plan you pay for regularly so it can cover most of your medical bills when you get sick or hurt.

Health insurance card at doctor appointment with crossed out bill

medical cost coverage 🔊

➕

/ˈmɛdɪkəl kɔːst ˈkʌvərɪdʒ/

A financial arrangement where an individual pays a regular premium in exchange for coverage of medical expenses when sick or injured.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From 'health' (Old English hælþ, whole) and 'insurance' (Latin securus, secure). A plan to secure medical costs.

💡 Mnemonic

Picture a shield labeled 'health' protecting your wallet from medical bills. Insure = ensure your health is covered.

📖 Example

Before moving abroad, she made sure to get international health insurance for peace of mind. 🔊 Before moving abroad, she made sure to get international health insurance for peace of mind.

🔗 Collocations

health insurance premium – the amount of money paid regularly for health insurance

health insurance policy – a contract that details the coverage and terms of health insurance

health insurance claim – a formal request to the insurance company for payment of medical expenses

🔄 Synonyms

medical coverage (n.) – a synonym for health insurance, emphasizing the scope of medical expenses covered

health plan (n.) – a type of health insurance arrangement, often provided by an employer or purchased individually

medical insurance (n.) – another term for health insurance, focusing on medical care specifically

🚫 Antonyms

uninsured (adj.) – the state of not having health insurance coverage

self-pay (n./adj.) – paying for medical expenses out of pocket without insurance

🌱 Derivatives

insured (adj./n.) –

insurer (n.) –

insurable (adj.) –

📖 Cultural Story

Modern health insurance began in 1929 with Blue Cross plans in the U.S., offering hospital coverage for a small fee. It expanded globally as a key tool for managing medical expenses.