Glossary of Insurance Terms

E

Effective date

The date on which insurance coverage goes into effect. (Not always the same as the date the application is completed.)

Elimination period

The number of days you must wait after receiving long-term care before receiving insurance benefits.

Emergency care

A medical emergency includes severe pain, an injury, sudden illness, or suddenly worsening illness that would cause a reasonably prudent layperson to expect that delay in treatment may cause serious danger to the person's health if he/she does not get immediate medical care.

Emergency services

Services delivered by an appropriately trained health care professional that are required to diagnose and stabilize an emergency condition.

Endorsement

Written agreement attached to a policy to add or subtract insurance coverages.

Enrollment period

The amount of time an employee has to sign up for a contributory health plan.