Medicare Enrollment Periods can be confusing and overwhelming for many people, especially those who are new to Medicare. With multiple enrollment periods and deadlines to remember, it can be challenging to understand which enrollment period is right for you and what options are available.
Remember: You have a seven-month window around the month you turn 65 to first sign up for a Medicare plan.
Medicare Enrollment Periods
Medicare Enrollment Periods are specific times of the year when you can sign up for Medicare, change your coverage options, or make any other necessary changes. There are four main enrollment periods for Medicare, including:
- Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)
- Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)
- General Enrollment Period (GEP)
- Special Enrollment Period (SEP)
Let’s take a closer look at each of these enrollment periods and what they entail.
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)
Welcome to the world of Medicare! As you turn 65, you become eligible to enroll in a Medicare plan. The enrollment period lasts for seven months, starting three months before your 65th birthday month and ending three months after it. During this period, you can choose to enroll in:
- Medicare Parts A and B by contacting Social Security for further information
- A stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plan (Part D)
- A Medicare Advantage plan (Part C)
Keep in mind that failing to sign up for Medicare Parts A and B or Part D during your initial enrollment period may result in penalties in the form of higher premiums. Check out our tips on avoiding penalties.
If you have a disability, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), or ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease), you may be eligible for Medicare earlier. Refer to our chart on coverage start dates when enrolling for the first time.
Pro tip: If you are already receiving Social Security benefits when you turn 65, you will be automatically enrolled in Original Medicare (Parts A and B).
For more information on the different parts of Medicare, please refer to our comprehensive guide.
Annual Enrollment Period
Each year, from October 15th to December 7th, anyone can modify their coverage and enroll in a Medicare plan. During this time, you have the option to:
- Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or vice versa.
- Switch from a Medicare Advantage plan that includes drug coverage to one without, or vice versa.
- Join or leave a Medicare prescription drug plan.
- Update your coverage by switching to a new plan from your current insurer or switching to a new insurer.
Note that if you decide to change your coverage during the Annual Enrollment Period, your new plan won’t take effect until January 1st. To compare your coverage options in more detail, refer to our coverage comparison chart.
Pro tip: If you’re satisfied with your current coverage, you aren’t required to make any changes. In most cases, your Medicare plan will automatically renew on January 1st.
General Enrollment Period
If you didn’t sign up for Part A and/or Part B during your initial enrollment period and you don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you still have an opportunity to enroll from January 1st to March 31st each year. However, be aware that your coverage won’t begin until July 1st, and you may face penalties.
Special Enrollment Period
A Special Enrollment Period (SEP) allows you to join, switch, or leave a Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plan outside of the regular enrollment periods. To be eligible for an SEP, specific circumstances must arise that necessitate a change in your coverage. Some common situations that may qualify for an SEP include:
- Relocating outside of your plan’s service area.
- Returning to the United States after residing abroad.
- Moving into or out of a skilled nursing facility, psychiatric facility, rehab hospital, or long-term care facility.
- Losing your employment or employer-provided coverage.