What is the definition of a subscriber in health insurance?

A subscriber in health insurance refers specifically to an individual who is named on an insurance certificate. This definition indicates that the subscriber is the person who holds the policy and has active coverage under it. They are the primary insured individual, often responsible for managing the policy and its associated benefits. This term is crucial in distinguishing between the main policyholder and other individuals, such as dependents, who may also be covered under the same insurance policy.

Understanding this term is important because it helps clarify the roles and responsibilities within health insurance plans, including who is authorized to make decisions regarding the policy and its benefits. The other options do not accurately define a subscriber; for instance, a dependent refers to someone covered under the subscriber's policy but does not hold the policy themselves, and the insurance company does not qualify as a subscriber since it does not participate in coverage as an individual.