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Elimination Period

The elimination period is the waiting time that must pass after an illness or injury occurs before disability insurance benefits begin to be paid. It functions like a deductible measured in days rather than dollars. During this period, you are responsible for your own income replacement through savings, sick leave, or other sources.

Elimination periods typically range from 30 to 180 days, depending on the plan and premium level. Shorter elimination periods provide faster access to benefits but usually come with higher premiums. Longer elimination periods cost less but require you to self-fund a longer gap before payments start.

This concept is most common in long-term disability (LTD) insurance but may also apply to short-term disability or critical illness riders that include income replacement features.

Example:

If your long-term disability policy has a 90-day elimination period and you become unable to work on January 1, your benefits would begin on March 31, provided you remain disabled through that time.

What to Watch For:

Make sure your elimination period aligns with your employer’s sick leave or emergency savings. If you have group coverage, coordinate the end of short-term disability with the start of long-term disability to avoid gaps in income. Always confirm whether the elimination period is measured in calendar days or working days, as this can affect when payments begin.

Related Terms

Effective Date

The effective date is the day your insurance coverage officially begins. From this date forward, you are eligible to receive benefits for covered health, dental, life, or disability expenses under the terms of your policy. The effective date is established once your application has been approved, all requirements are met, and the first premium payment has been received, unless otherwise specified in the policy.

Eligibility Period

The eligibility period is the window of time during which an individual can apply for or enroll in an insurance plan after first becoming eligible. It ensures that applicants join coverage within a reasonable timeframe, helping insurers manage risk and prevent people from waiting until they need care to apply. Eligibility periods are common in both group and individual insurance and are especially important for guaranteed issue or conversion options.

Eligibility Window (Guaranteed Issue)

An eligibility window in a guaranteed issue (GI) plan is the period after losing group benefits during which you can enroll in personal health coverage without completing medical questions. This window is typically 60 to 90 days. Applying within it ensures uninterrupted protection for prescription drugs, dental care, and health services that were previously employer-sponsored.

Eligible Expenses

An eligible expense is any medical or dental service, product, or treatment that qualifies for reimbursement under the terms of your insurance plan. To be eligible, the service must meet several criteria: it must be medically necessary, performed by a licensed or approved provider, and fall within the plan’s specific limits and exclusions.

Endodontics

Endodontics is a branch of dentistry focused on treating the interior of the tooth, most commonly through root canal therapy. It addresses infections, inflammation, or damage to the dental pulp and surrounding tissue. Most dental plans classify endodontics as a restorative service, meaning it typically falls under the same category as fillings and crowns.

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