Community Health Insurance in Nepal

Abstract

Introduction: The term health insurance is generally used to describe a form of insurance that provides coverage for health-related needs. It pays for medical expenses. It is sometimes used more broadly to include insurance covering disability or long-term nursing or custodial care needs. It may be provided through a government-sponsored social insurance program, or from private insurance companies, or from group employer-sponsored plan. It may be purchased on a group basis (e.g., by a firm to cover its employees) or purchased by individual consumers. The type of health care covered by your health insurance plan depends on the type of coverage and the amount you pay for the premium. In each case, the covered groups or individuals pay premiums or taxes to help protect themselves from high or unexpected healthcare expenses. Similar benefits paying for medical expenses may also be provided through social welfare programs funded by the government. By estimating the overall risk of healthcare expenses, a routine finance structure (such as a monthly premium or annual tax) can be developed, ensuring that money is available to pay for the healthcare benefits specified in the insurance agreement. The benefit is administered by a central organization, most often either a government agency or a private or not-for-profit entity operating a health plan.