Most health insurance policy holders must sit tight during their health insurance waiting period. Medical insurance companies usually prohibit new policy holders from claiming or receiving benefits for thirty to sixty days after the policy's start date. The purposes of this rule is to reduce the risk of the health insurance provider paying for pre-existing conditions and ensure that all paperwork is in order. Unfortunately, this often means that an individual has medical insurance, but unable to state that they are truly "covered."

It is imperative to find out about your health insurance waiting period prior to the policy coming into effect. Without planning or preparing for this waiting period you could find yourself needing to pay independently for any medical treatment provided during this time. Whether you decide to purchase a temporary policy or continue your previous medical insurance coverage, anticipating this waiting period will prevent the need for you to reach into your own pockets to pay for your medical care.

Your policy contract is the first place to turn to find out about your waiting period. Because the insurance contractual obligations are essentially delayed in coming into effect, most insurance companies will include information their waiting period inside the contract. This inclusion prevents confusion and policy holders from claiming that they were unaware of the waiting period requirement.

If, however, your policy is too complex to understand, you can contact your agent or provider to obtain information about your policy's waiting period. Many times, a simple phone call will provide you with the exact inform you need faster than if you had read the contract. Try contacting local representatives before using the company's national phone number, if any. Often local agents and representatives will be able to assist you faster because they receive fewer calls and may even have memorized the facts about the policies offered in your area.

When inquiring into the waiting period, you should ask about its length and extent. Length refers to how long you must wait before you can begin to claim benefits. Sometimes this amount of time is specifically defined and applicable to any medical issues. Other times, however, the length of time you must wait to claim your benefits depends on the type of medical care or treatment. For example, some insurance companies will cover prescriptions after thirty days, but will not cover physician visits until sixty days after the policy's start date.

A phone call or a quick perusal of your contract will provide the specific rules applicable to your policy. If you are currently shopping for health insurance, ask about the waiting period and the types of treatments it applies to.