Who qualifies as a dependent in health insurance policies?

In health insurance policies, a dependent is typically defined as an individual who relies on the primary policyholder for insurance coverage. This often includes children, spouses, or other family members who are financially dependent on the policyholder and are included under the policyholder’s health insurance plan. This relationship of reliance is crucial because it establishes the need for the dependent to be covered under the primary insured’s plan rather than having their own separate coverage.

The other options do not accurately capture the criteria for being classified as a dependent. For instance, simply being the individual who pays for the policy does not make one a dependent; that role pertains to the policyholder themselves. Additionally, the employment status of an individual, such as working full-time, does not determine whether they can be classified as a dependent in the context of health insurance. Lastly, an individual who owns their own policy is inherently not a dependent, since they are covered under their own plan rather than relying on another’s insurance coverage.