Waiting Period

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I covered for emergencies during the waiting period?

Generally yes, but only for emergency services. Some employers may provide limited emergency coverage during the waiting period, but routine and preventive care is typically not covered until the waiting period ends. Check your employer’s plan documents or HR for specific terms.

What can I do if I have a coverage gap during the waiting period?

COBRA continuation from your prior employer’s plan is one option to bridge the gap. A short-term health plan is another, though it lacks ACA protections. If your new employer’s waiting period is 90 days, also check whether a Marketplace plan might make sense for that window — you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period based on losing prior coverage.

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