When Does Health Insurance Start? 
Depends on the `` company underwriting '' procedures . Some companies will allow their agents to accept -LRB- usually 60 days -RRB- upfront premium payments and give you a `` conditional receipt '' and you are covered unless the company rejects the application for underwriting reasons . Some companies want to underwrite everything before the policy is issued and you have to give them the right to draft your credit card or checking account on a given date each month . If you are applying for `` medicare policy '' it will be effective the following month after your application is received 