What is the primary function of health insurance?

The primary function of health insurance is to pay for medical expenses, which encompasses a wide range of healthcare services including hospital stays, surgeries, doctor visits, prescription medications, and preventive care. This type of insurance is designed to help individuals manage the financial burden of healthcare costs, thereby ensuring access to necessary medical care without the risk of overwhelming medical debt.

Health insurance serves as a safeguard against high medical expenses that can arise from unexpected health issues or accidents. By pooling risk among many policyholders, health insurance allows individuals to share costs and receive financial support for medical services, which can often be prohibitively expensive if paid out of pocket. This role is foundational to the concept of health insurance, making option C the most fitting choice.