In an employer-sponsored group accident and health plan, who is issued the master contract?

In an employer-sponsored group accident and health plan, the master contract is issued to the employer. This is because the employer is the entity that organizes and provides the group health insurance benefit to its employees. The master contract outlines the specifics of the coverage, the rights and responsibilities of the employer and the insurance provider, and the procedures for administering the health plan.

This contract does not go to individual employees, as they are covered under the terms dictated by the master contract held by the employer. Instead, employees receive certificates or summary plan descriptions that detail their individual benefits and coverage under the overarching master contract. The insurance company does not receive the master contract as they are the provider of the insurance; rather, they issue the contract to the employer who is purchasing the insurance. Lastly, the government does not get involved in this contract unless regulated by laws like ERISA or applicable state insurance regulations. Thus, the correct identification of the bearer of the master contract is the employer.