Key insurance terms that start with "W"

Activities your insurance company or employer offers to help you stay healthy. Wellness programs may include gym discounts, health screenings, smoking cessation programs, or incentives for preventive care. Participating in wellness programs may lower your premiums or health care costs.

A waiting period is the length of time you must wait after enrolling in a health insurance plan before your coverage becomes active. During this time, you generally cannot use your insurance benefits and any medical costs are your full responsibility.

Waiting periods apply in different contexts:

• Employer plans: New employees often wait 30–90 days after their start date before employer-sponsored coverage begins. The ACA caps this at 90 days for employer plans.
• Specific benefits: Some plan features — particularly dental and vision riders — may have their own waiting periods for certain services (e.g., orthodontics, major dental work).
• Marketplace plans: Coverage is generally effective the first of the month following enrollment, not subject to an additional waiting period beyond that timing gap.

If you lose previous coverage during a waiting period, you may have a gap in coverage. Depending on the timing, COBRA continuation from a prior employer plan might bridge the gap until your new coverage starts.