### Question
What does affiliation period mean?


### Answer
**Affiliation period** has the following meaning in *26 U.S.C. § 9801*:

> 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 Requirements > CHAPTER 100-GROUP HEALTH PLAN REQUIREMENTS > Subchapter A-Requirements Relating to Portability, Access, and Renewability**

