Reinstatement time limit: insurers are required to take action within how many days of application for reinstatement?

• A. Forty-five days
• B. Sixty days
• C. Ninety days
• D. One hundred days

Answer: (A)

When a health policy has lapsed and you apply for reinstatement, there’s a set deadline the insurer must meet to decide on that request. In North Carolina, the insurer is required to take action within forty-five days of receiving the reinstatement application. This time limit helps ensure the coverage issue is resolved promptly and that the insured isn’t left waiting indefinitely for a decision. If no action is taken within that window, many policies treat the application as approved, with reinstatement effective once any overdue premiums are paid and any required underwriting steps are satisfied, though the exact mechanics can vary by policy. So the forty-five-day timeframe is the standard rule.