### Question
How does the law define affiliation period?


### Answer
Under *26 U.S.C. § 9801*, **affiliation period** is defined as:

> a period which, under the terms of the health insurance coverage offered by the health maintenance organization, must expire before the health insurance coverage becomes effective

#### Citation:
  - *26 U.S.C. § 9801*
  - Heading: **Subtitle K-Group Health Plan Portability, Access, and Renewability Requirements > CHAPTER 100-GROUP HEALTH PLAN PORTABILITY, ACCESS, AND RENEWABILITY REQUIREMENTS**

