7 reasons why you might have to wait for your health insurance to begin

Even though you’ve signed up for a health plan, you might not be able to take advantage of its benefits right away. But there are options while you wait.

Imagine you’ve just landed your dream job — but there’s a catch: Your health insurance doesn't kick in until the end of the month, or maybe even 90 days from now. If you need to go to the doctor, should you pay out of pocket or wait for your coverage to begin?

This situation is more common than you might think. Knowing why your health insurance could be delayed can help you make decisions about your healthcare — and be better prepared during the gap.

Why do health insurance waiting periods exist?

Waiting periods can be frustrating, but they serve a purpose.

One reason is to prevent misuse. If there were no waiting periods, people could buy insurance only when they need expensive medical care — and then cancel it afterward. It would be like signing up for a free trial of a streaming service just to binge one show and then canceling before the charge hits.

Waiting periods also help insurance companies plan for costs. When coverage starts after a set time, insurers can better manage risk across all members. This helps keep monthly premiums from rising too fast and keeps things stable.

What can delay your health insurance from starting?

Even if you’ve completed your application, paid your premium, and been approved, you still might have to wait. Here’s why:

1. Your employer’s plan has a waiting period.

Many employer-sponsored plans have a built-in waiting period — often 30, 60 or even 90 days after your start date. By law, this period can’t be longer than 90 days.¹

2. You missed the enrollment deadline.

The Open Enrollment Period for Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans typically run from November 1 to January 15.² If you purchase coverage by December 15, your coverage will begin on January 1. If you apply December 16 to January 15, your coverage won’t begin until February 1, which may cause a gap while you wait to be covered.²

If your health insurance hasn’t started yet, short term health insurance may be a good option when you are in between comprehensive medical plans. See how it may help you.

3. You're enrolling during a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).

Qualifying life events like getting married, having a baby, or losing coverage can make you eligible for an ACA plan during a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).² But it can take time to process — especially if you need to submit documents to verify your eligibility.

4. You haven’t paid your first premium.

Coverage won’t begin until you pay your first month’s premium — even if your application is approved. Skipping this step is a common reason people go uninsured without realizing it.

5. You applied outside of the Open Enrollment Period.

Most Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans are only available during the annual Open Enrollment Period (November 1 to January 15).³ If you miss this window and don’t qualify for an SEP, you may have to wait until next year.

6. Your application was incomplete or had mistakes

Simple mistakes or missing paperwork can delay your plan’s start date. Double-check all your forms before you submit them.

7. You enrolled in a short term or non-ACA plan

Short term health insurance coverage can begin quickly — sometimes the next day — but it doesn’t follow ACA rules. That means it does not cover pre-existing conditions, and insurers may delay or not even approve coverage while reviewing your health history (a process called medical underwriting).

What types of waiting periods should you know about?

Different plans and benefits come with different waiting periods. Here are some common ones:

Initial waiting period. This applies to most new enrollees and is usually 30 to 90 days.¹ You generally can’t use your benefits during this time — unless it's for an emergency.

Still in between health plans? Short term insurance could help you get temporary health coverage fast.

Maternity and newborn care waiting period. Limited-benefit and short term health plans aren’t required to follow ACA’s rules — like covering essential health benefits. That means that many don’t cover prenatal (care you get during pregnancy) or newborn care. The plans that do cover these types of care often have a waiting period ranging from 9 months to 2 years to receive coverage.

How do waiting periods affect you?

If you need medical care before your coverage starts, you may have to pay for it out of pocket. This can be tough, especially for people managing chronic conditions or preparing for a baby.

The good news? There are exceptions:

Group coverage through an employer might not include long waiting periods — or any at all — because risk is shared across the company’s medical insurance policy.
Continuous coverage from a previous plan may count toward a new plan’s waiting period.
Qualifying life events may allow you to start coverage sooner through an SEP.

What can you do during a waiting period?

Here are a few ways to protect yourself while you wait:

Get short term coverage. These plans can fill a temporary gap for a maximum coverage period of no more than 4 months — that’s 3 months plus a 1-month extension — in a 12-month period. You can sign up anytime and, in some cases, start coverage the very next day.
Choose plans with shorter waiting periods. When comparing health plans, check how long you'll wait for the services you care about most.
Be honest on your application. It may be tempting to leave out medical details, but lying about your health history can lead to denied claims or canceled coverage later.

Understanding why coverage doesn’t start right away can help you plan ahead. Know your options, know the rules, and then take steps to continue staying on some type of healthcare coverage.

There are many options while you wait for your health insurance to kick in. Browse plans online or talk with a licensed insurance agent at 1-844-211-7730.

For informational purposes only. This information is compiled by UnitedHealthcare, and/or one of its affiliates, and does not diagnose problems or recommend specific treatment. Services and medical technologies referenced herein may not be covered under your plan. Please consult directly with your primary care physician if you need medical advice.

Part Number:
52476-X-0825

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