During which phase must an employee join the group insurance plan to be eligible for benefits?

An employee must join the group insurance plan within the eligibility period after the probationary period to be eligible for benefits. This option reflects the common practice found in many group insurance policies where there is a set timeframe following the completion of a probationary period during which new employees are allowed to enroll in the insurance plan.

The eligibility period is often designed to give new employees a chance to review the benefits available to them and to decide whether they wish to participate in the insurance plan. If they fail to enroll within this designated time frame, they may lose the opportunity to obtain coverage without facing additional requirements, such as medical underwriting or waiting periods.

In many cases, the probationary period serves as an assessment phase for both the employer and employee, and the eligibility period provides a structured opportunity for the employee to enroll once they have become more familiar with their employment and the benefits offered.