Is the guarantor and subscriber the same?

Answer 1

It depends, but the terms are NOT interchangeable.

The guarantor is the person or entity financially responsible for the bill. The subscriber is the person who carries the insurance.

Example of when they are the same person: An adult carries their own insurance policy (subscriber). They are also financially responsible to pay the charges they incur for the doctor's visit (guarantor). Charges include non-covered services or share of cost such the deductible, copay, or co-insurance.

Example of when they are a different person: Adult 1 (father) carries a family insurance policy (subscriber). Adult 2 (son, a college student) is covered under Adult 1's policy. Adult 2 is responsible for their share of cost (such as copays and coinsurance or anything that isn't covered under the insurance policy).