Insurance term
Waiting Period
Definition
A waiting period is the length of time a patient must be enrolled in a plan before certain services are covered.
Why it matters for the front desk
Preventive care is often covered right away, while basic services may have a waiting period of several months and major services a year or more. Some plans waive waiting periods for patients with prior continuous coverage. Treatment done before the waiting period ends is denied and becomes the patient's bill. Checking the coverage start date and waiting periods before scheduling treatment prevents that.
Related reading
Blog
What Actually Happens During Dental Insurance Eligibility Verification
Related terms
- Missing Tooth Clause A missing tooth clause is a plan provision that won't pay to replace a tooth that was missing before the patient's coverage began.
- Eligibility Verification Eligibility verification is the process of confirming, before an appointment, that a patient's dental coverage is active and what it will pay for.
- Frequency Limitation A frequency limitation is a plan rule that limits how often a procedure is covered, such as two cleanings per year or one set of bitewings per year.