Family members covered under an insurance plan, including spouses and children, are commonly referred to as dependents. This term specifically denotes individuals who rely on a primary policyholder for insurance coverage. In health insurance, dependents are those who may not carry their own policies but are included in the coverage provided by the main insured individual. This relationship is crucial in determining eligibility for benefits, as dependents can access medical services and treatments under the same plan that covers the primary insured person.
The term beneficiaries typically refers to individuals who receive benefits from a policy after a certain event, such as death, which emphasizes the financial aspect rather than ongoing coverage. Subscribers are those who have taken out an insurance policy, which is not typically used to describe family members but rather the individual who holds the primary insurance. Policyholders are individuals who own the insurance policy and are responsible for its terms and premiums, again not specifically designating the family members that may be covered under the plan.