Private health insurance refers to health insurance plans marketed by private health insurance companies, as opposed to government-run insurance programs. Private health insurance can be purchased directly from a health insurance company or through an employer-sponsored plan. Private health insurance plans are highly regulated at both the state and federal level, and regulations and laws often address what healthcare services must be covered by group and individual health plans. Private health insurance plans typically offer a range of benefits, including coverage for doctors visits, hospital stays, prescription medications, diagnostic tests, and other medical services. Private health insurance plans are typically paid through a monthly premium, which varies based on factors such as the level of coverage, the member’s age, tobacco use, and location. Private health insurance is different from government-run insurance programs, which offer public health insurance such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) .