U.S. Department of Labor
Health Benefits Advisor for Employers
Glossary
Waiting Period
The period that must pass before an employee or dependent is eligible to enroll (becomes covered) under the terms of the group health plan. If the employee or dependent enrolls as a late enrollee or on a special enrollment date, any period before the late or special enrollment is not a waiting period. If a plan has a waiting period and a pre-existing condition exclusion, the pre-existing condition exclusion period begins when the waiting period begins. Days in a waiting period are not counted toward creditable coverage unless there is other creditable coverage during that time. You should try to maintain creditable coverage during a waiting period to reduce any pre-existing condition exclusion that may apply. Days in a waiting period are also not counted when determining a significant break in coverage.
