The aim of this article is to present the factors influencing the use of private resources in health care, to classify the different forms of private health insurance and to assess the situation in the Czech Republic. The author concludes that the level of use of private resources in health care is influenced by the health care market and health insurance, as well as the extent and nature of the universal part of care that is available to all. Private health insurance can be used where the public system coverage is not sufficient to provide the necessary care. Then, a form of optional and compulsory insurance is offered, which is further subdivided into substitutive insurance, complementary insurance, supplementary insurance. The author further discusses the use of compulsory private insurance in Europe and concludes that the scope for private health insurance is limited in the Czech Republic, but it makes sense to continue to explore the possibilities of its effective use in order to increase benefits for individuals.