Enrollment Periods for Medicare

The Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is when you first become eligible to enroll in Medicare, which for most people is around their 65th birthday.

Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)

• starts 3 months before the month you turn 65
• includes the month you turn 65
• ends 3 months after the month you turn 65

During your IEP 7-month period, you can sign up for:

• Part A - Hospital Insurance
• Part B - Medical Insurance
• Part C - Medicare Advantage*
• Part D - Prescription Drug**
• Medicare Supplement (also called Medigap)*

*You can only sign up for Part C (Medicare Advantage) or a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan if you also enroll in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B).
**You can sign up for stand-alone Part D (Prescription Drug) plans if you have Medicare Part A or Medicare Part B.

Avoid the Late Enrollment Penalty (LEP)
If you don’t enroll in Part B and Part D coverage when you’re first eligible, you may have to pay a Late Enrollment Penalty (LEP). There are some special circumstances where you can sign up later. For example, if you’re still working and have group health insurance through your employer, you may be able to wait to enroll in Medicare.

Every year, during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), you can switch, disenroll, or join Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug plan of your choice. During AEP, you can also enroll in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). Your new coverage will begin January 1 of the following year.

Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)

• begins October 15
• ends December 7

During AEP, you can sign up for:

• Part C - Medicare Advantage*
• Part D - Prescription Drug**
• Medicare Supplement (also called Medigap)*

*You can only sign up for Part C (Medicare Advantage) or a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan if you also enroll in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B).
**You can sign up for stand-alone Part D (Prescription Drug) plans if you have Medicare Part A or Medicare Part B.

If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can make a one-time change during the Open Enrollment Period (OEP).

Open Enrollment Period (OEP)

• begins January 1
• ends March 31

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan during OEP, you can switch to:

• Part A - Hospital Insurance
• Part B - Medical Insurance
• Part C - Medicare Advantage*
• Part D - Prescription Drug**
• Medicare Supplement (also called Medigap)*

*You can only sign up for Part C (Medicare Advantage) or a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan if you also enroll in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B).
**You can sign up for stand-alone Part D (Prescription Drug) plans if you have Medicare Part A or Medicare Part B.

Certain events allow you to make a change to your coverage during the year. For example, if you move outside your plan’s service area or lose your employer coverage, you may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).

You may qualify for an SEP under these circumstances (not an all-inclusive list):

• If you're eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid
• If you lose group health coverage from your spouse's employer
• If you move away from your current plan's service area
• If your insurance company cancels your health plan
• If you get Extra Help from Medicare to pay for prescription drugs

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