What type of insurance is characterized by an employer acting as the insurance provider?

The correct answer is self insurance. In self insurance, an employer takes on the financial risk of providing health care benefits to their employees instead of purchasing insurance from a traditional insurance provider. This approach allows the employer to directly handle the costs associated with employee health care, which can often lead to savings and greater control over the benefits structure.

Employers who choose self insurance typically set aside funds to pay for health care claims as they occur, rather than paying fixed premiums to an insurance carrier. This model allows for a more tailored health plan that can reflect the specific needs of the workforce.

Managed care refers to a health insurance strategy that combines the financing and delivery of health care services, often involving a network of providers. Individual private insurance involves individuals purchasing coverage on their own, which does not involve employers acting as providers. Group insurance typically involves an employer providing coverage for a group of employees through an insurance company rather than self-funding those benefits. This helps to understand why self insurance stands out in the context of employers directly acting as the insurance provider.