The main purpose of health insurance is to ensure you have access to the medical care you need and protect you from having to pay for medical expenses out-of-pocket. These expenses can include regular medical care like doctor’s visits, or emergency care to treat an acute injury, illness or infection. The Canadian provincial and territorial governments provide basic health insurance coverage that ensures each person has access to necessary and emergency care when needed. Additional health insurance can be purchased by either an employer or an individual to cover expenses not included in the government-funded plans.