What is a waiting period in health insurance?

A waiting period in health insurance specifically refers to the designated time frame before coverage becomes effective for certain conditions. This is often applicable in cases of pre-existing conditions or specific types of care, where the insurer imposes a delay to avoid covering immediate claims for issues that the insured might have before the policy begins.

For instance, if a health insurance policy has a 90-day waiting period for surgery related to a pre-existing condition, the insured will need to wait for that period to elapse before the insurer will cover any costs associated with that surgery. This practice helps insurers manage risk and provide a more sustainable coverage model.

This understanding clarifies the importance of the waiting period, distinguishing it from other concepts like the timeframe for policy issuance or the timing of premium payments, which are fundamentally different aspects of the insurance process.