Length of time managed care plan members must wait before receiving benefits. It is an alternative to preexisting condition exclusions seen in insurance plans. Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), an affiliation period may not last longer than 2 months or, if a late enrollee, 3 months. It begins on the member’s date of enrollment. If a member changes coverage more than 3 months after the enrollment date, the new plan cannot impose an affiliation period.