When to Enroll
Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)
Annual Open Enrollment Period
- When it happens: Oct. 15 – Dec. 7
- Who it’s for: Anyone who is enrolled in Medicare Parts A and/or B, including those who may already be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan
- What you can do:
- Change from original Medicare to a private Medicare Advantage plan
- Change from Medicare Advantage to original Medicare
- Join, drop, or switch Part D drug plans
- Switch Medicare Advantage plans *When coverage starts: Jan. 1
Special Enrollment Period (SEP)
Special Enrollment Periods
- When it happens: Ongoing (SEPs exist for people to enroll iin/switch Medicare Advantage and Part D plans)
- Who it’s for: There are many SEPs for both Medicare Part D, and Medicare Advantage plans. SEPs can apply to those who:
- Lose active employee/spousal coverage (and didn’t sign up for original Medicare when first eligible)
- Move out of a plan’s service area (for Medicare Advantage and Part D plans)
- Enter or leave an institution (nursing home, jail)
- Qualify for the Part D Low-Income Subsidy (Extra Help)
- What you can do:
- Move back to Medicare Part A and Part B
- Change/enroll in a Part D plan
- Change/enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan
- Note: Specific rules and timing apply to SEPs based on a person’s individual circumstances. Learn more from Medicare.
- When coverage starts: Varies; see Medicare link above for more details
Medigap Open Enrollment Period (Continuous)
Medigap Open Enrollment Period
- When it happens: Ongoing (six-month window after you enroll in Part B)
- Who it’s for: People turning 65, newly eligible for Medicare, and enrolled in Parts A and B
- What you can do: Purchase a Medigap policy without medical underwriting; learn more in our fact sheet: Medigap Open Enrollment Period
- When coverage starts: First day of the following month
Annual Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP)
Annual Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period
- When it happens: Jan. 1 – March 31
- Who it’s for: People already enrolled in a private Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan as of Jan. 1 who wish to switch plans or leave their plan to get original Medicare (Parts A and B)
- What you can do:
- Switch Medicare Advantage plans
- Disenroll from Medicare Advantage to go to original Medicare (you can also pick up a Part D drug plan)
- When coverage starts: First day of the month following the month of enrollment (i.e., if you apply in January, coverage starts Feb. 1)
You are New to Medicare Part A and Part B (IEP)
Initial Enrollment Period
- When it happens: Ongoing (the seven-month window around your 65th birthday, or for those under 65 and found to have a disability, generally the month after a 24-month “waiting period”)
- Who it’s for: People newly eligible for Medicare, both those turning 65 and those under 65 who are found to have a disability by Social Security and have met their Medicare “waiting period” (i.e., received SSDI benefits for 2 years)
- What you can do: Join Medicare Parts A and/or B, and also enroll in Part D
- When coverage starts: No earlier than your month of Medicare eligibility; see the Medicare & You handbook for more information
SSDI Social Security Disability Insurance
Some insurance companies may elect to sell Medigap(Supplemental) policies to people under age 65, even in states that do not require this policy.
If you do not have prescription drug coverage from another source, you should enroll in a Medicare Part D (PDP) Plan.
Alternatively, you can look into receiving your Medicare-covered benefits, including prescription drugs, through a Medicare Advantage Plan offered through private insurance companies. For example, an HMO or PPO. However, access to providers in general, is more limited. Medicare Advantage Plans are not allowed to turn down people with Medicare based on their health status or pre-existing condition.