Who is regarded as the policyholder for a group health benefit plan?

In a group health benefit plan, the employer is considered the policyholder because they are the entity that establishes the plan and enters into a contract with the insurance company to provide health benefits to its employees. The employer takes on the responsibility for the administration of the plan, including the payment of premiums and the selection of coverage options.

Employees, while they are the beneficiaries of the coverage, do not hold the policy themselves. They receive benefits through their employer's group plan but are not the contracting parties in relation to the insurer. The agent acts as a facilitator, helping the employer select the appropriate plan and guiding them through the implementation process, but does not hold the policy. Finally, the insurer is the company providing the coverage, but they are not the ones holding the policy; that role belongs to the employer. Thus, the employer's position as the policyholder is central to the structure of group health benefit plans.