Who is referred to as a Subscriber in medical insurance?

In the context of medical insurance, a Subscriber is defined as the individual who holds the insurance policy and is responsible for its associated premiums and coverage. This person typically has the primary relationship with the insurance provider, which means they are the one applying for the coverage and managing the policy.

While dependents, such as a child or spouse, can be covered under the policyholder's plan, they do not hold the policy themselves, hence they are not classified as Subscribers. Healthcare providers are entities that deliver medical services and are contracted with insurance companies, but they are separate from the insurance policy ownership. An insurance company representative is an individual who works for an insurance firm and may assist policyholders but does not own the insurance policy themselves. Thus, the term "Subscriber" specifically refers to the individual who directly engages with and maintains the insurance policy.