The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Treasury and Health and Human Services (HHS) jointly released final and proposed regulations on February 24, 2014 to implement the 90 day waiting period limit provision of the Affordable Care Act.

The final regulations state that a group health plan or group insurance issuer cannot impose a waiting period of more than 90 days from the date an individual becomes eligible for coverage.  Eligibility requirements which are based on number of hours worked are generally permitted as long as the maximum number of hours required is no more than 1200 hours in a 12 month period.

Enrollment may also be based on meeting other eligibility conditions such as being in an eligible job classification, attaining job-related licenses or completing an orientation period.  The departments issued a proposed rule limiting the maximum length of an orientation period to one month.

The final regulations are effective April 25, 2014.  The regulations apply to group health plans and group health insurance issuers for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2015.  For plan years that begin prior to that date, plans must comply with either the proposed rule or the final rule.