U.S. Department of Labor
Health Benefits Advisor for Employers
Glossary
Affiliation Period
A period of time that must pass before health insurance coverage provided by an HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) becomes effective.
If a group health plan provides coverage to you through an HMO with an affiliation period, the affiliation period cannot be longer than 2 months (3 months for a late enrollee) from your enrollment date, and the plan cannot impose a pre-existing condition exclusion. During the affiliation period, the plan cannot charge you premiums, and the HMO is not required to provide benefits.
The affiliation period must run concurrently with any waiting period for coverage under the plan.
