Who is considered the primary person covered by an insurance plan?

The primary person covered by an insurance plan is referred to as the subscriber. This individual is the main insured party who holds the insurance policy and is responsible for paying the premiums. The subscriber typically has the authority to make decisions regarding the insurance plan, such as choosing providers or making changes to coverage.

The beneficiary, while also an important term in insurance, generally refers to a person designated to receive benefits from the insurance plan (often in the case of life insurance), rather than the main user of the policy. Dependents are individuals linked to the subscriber, such as children or spouses, who may also be covered under the same insurance plan but do not themselves hold the policy. The term policyholder is similar to subscriber in many contexts and often used interchangeably, but in a strict sense, it can sometimes encompass both the subscriber and their covered dependents. In this context, the subscriber best encompasses the primary individual associated with an insurance plan.