Who is typically referred to as a spouse in health insurance terms?

In health insurance terminology, a spouse typically refers to the husband or wife of the subscriber. This designation is important because health insurance policies often include specific coverage options for spouses, which may differ from those available to children or other relatives. By identifying a spouse this way, insurers can offer benefits that recognize the legal and financial relationship between married partners, which establishes a basis for shared coverage under a single policy.

In contrast, the other options do not capture the formal definition of a spouse. A child of the subscriber is usually classified as a dependent, while a close relative of the subscriber (such as a sibling or parent) does not fit into the health insurance category of a spouse. Similarly, a dependent living with the subscriber could refer to a wider range of individuals, including children or other family members, but does not specifically denote a marital relationship, which is essential for determining spousal coverage in health insurance contexts.