A waiting period in health insurance is the time between when you sign up for insurance coverage and when it goes into effect. It is the amount of time an insured must wait before some or all of their coverage comes into effect. During this period, you won’t be able to use some or all of your benefits, so it’s important to know how long it’ll last. Waiting periods may also be known as elimination periods and qualifying periods. Waiting periods usually depend on your insurance carrier, and some insurers require a waiting period on the entire policy, while some might only have a waiting period that applies to specific parts.

In job-based coverage, a waiting period is the time that must pass before coverage can become effective for an employee or dependent who is otherwise eligible for coverage under a job-based health plan. Waiting periods are common for new employees seeking access to employer-provided health insurance. In group health insurance such as employers provide, the maximum allowable waiting period is 90 days before health coverage must be effective for an eligible participant.

The waiting period or elimination period before the insured may make claims varies by insurer, policy, and type of insurance. Depending on your chosen plan type, the level of coverage, and the insurer, waiting periods can also vary. Generally speaking, many policies come with long waiting periods for the following types of coverage:

• Maternity care - Usually between 10 to 12 months
• Dental care - 6 to 12 months
• Cardiovascular care and cancer - Up to 2 years

It is important to clarify how waiting periods affect your policy before you buy it.