Define "network" in the context of health insurance.

In the context of health insurance, "network" refers to a group of healthcare providers and facilities that have contracted with a health insurance plan to provide services to its members at negotiated rates. This arrangement typically helps control costs while ensuring that insured individuals have access to a range of medical services.

When an insurance plan establishes a network, it aims to create a cohesive ecosystem of healthcare professionals—including doctors, specialists, and hospitals—that agree to certain terms regarding pricing and quality of care in exchange for patient referrals and a steady influx of clients. This not only benefits the insurance provider by managing expenses but also provides members with a wider choice of care options within the confines of their insurance coverage.

The other options do not accurately capture the meaning of "network." While a set of insurance policies and a type of insurance coverage might represent some aspects of health insurance, they do not specifically describe the collaborative arrangement of providers and facilities. A group of insured individuals denotes the clientele of an insurance plan but overlooks the essential component of healthcare delivery that a "network" represents.