your 65th birthday
Initial Enrollment Period
The first opportunity you have to enroll in Medicare is called the "Medicare Initial Enrollment Period," or IEP.
This is a seven-month window of time that begins:
- three months before your 65th birthday,
- runs through your birthday month,
- and ends three months after you turn 65.
During this time, you can enroll in Original Medicare (Parts A and Part B), Medicare Advantage (Part C) or a Medicare drug plan (Part D). If you do not enroll in Medicare Part A, B, or D when first eligible, you may be subject to late enrollment penalties that can result in higher monthly premiums.
coverage starts next month
General Enrollment Period
If you missed your initial enrollment period, then the next opportunity you have to enroll in Medicare is called the "General Enrollment Period," or GEP. This is a three-month window from January 1st – March 31st.
During this time, you can enroll in Original Medicare (Parts A and Part B), Medicare Advantage (Part C) (with or without drug coverage) or a Medicare drug plan (Part D).
Important note
The General Enrollment Period is not a safety net for missing your Initial Enrollment Period. You may be charged a late enrollment penalty that stays on your premium for as long as you have Part B. Your coverage begins the first day of the month after you enroll.
changes start in January
Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)
The "Annual Enrollment Period" or AEP is the period of time in which Medicare beneficiaries can make changes to their healthcare coverage. This enrollment period happens each year from October 15th – December 7th.
During the annual enrollment period, you can:
- Join, drop, or switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan (or add or drop drug coverage).
- Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan or switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan to Original Medicare.
- Join, drop, or switch to another Medicare drug plan if you're in Original Medicare.
Changes made during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period will take effect in January of the following year.
one switch allowed
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period
During the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, or OEP, beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage and not happy with their plan have a one-time opportunity to switch their plan. The OEP runs from January 1st – March 31st.
qualifying life event
Special Enrollment Period
Under certain special circumstances, Medicare-eligible individuals may qualify for a "Special Enrollment Period" or SEP outside of their initial enrollment period. During a special enrollment, you can enroll in and make changes to your Medicare coverage without penalty as long as you have a qualifying life event.
Common qualifying life events include:
- You move out of your plan's service area
- You lose your current health coverage, including employer coverage
- You have the opportunity to get other coverage (employer or union)
- Your plan changes its contract with Medicare
- You were affected by a disaster or emergency