Guidance on ACA 90-Day Waiting Periods Issued in Tri-Agency Final, Proposed Rules

Group health plans or health insurance issuers offering group health insurance coverage can’t apply a waiting period that exceeds 90 days for individuals to be eligible for benefits coverage under terms of their plans, according to new final regulations under the Affordable Care Act released jointly by three federal agencies and scheduled for publication in the Feb. 24 Federal Register.

The final regulation (RIN 0938-AR77) sets forth rules governing the relationship between a plan’s eligibility criteria and the 90-day waiting period limitation, and is effective April 25.

“This is a common sense measure that helps workers access employer-sponsored health insurance ...