A late enrollee exclusion can be up to __ months?

• A. 12
• B. 6
• C. 18
• D. 24

Answer: (C)

This tests the maximum length of a preexisting condition exclusion for someone who enrolls late in a health plan. For late enrollees, the plan may exclude preexisting conditions for up to eighteen months from the enrollment date. The idea is that people who don’t sign up during the initial or open enrollment periods can face a longer waiting period for coverage of existing conditions. If there’s prior creditable coverage, that time can reduce the exclusion accordingly, but the non-reduced maximum remains eighteen months. After the exclusion period ends, coverage for preexisting conditions must be provided.