Key takeaways
- Medicare enrollment isn't limited to one time of year. Depending on your situation, you may qualify for more than one enrollment period in a calendar year.
- The Annual Enrollment Period (October 15-December 7) is the primary time to review and make changes to your Medicare coverage.
- Medicare Advantage members get an additional opportunity to make changes during the Open Enrollment Period from January 1 to March 31, allowing them to switch plans or return to Original Medicare.
- Certain life changes may qualify you for a special enrollment period.
Understanding Medicare enrollment timelines can help you choose and maintain the coverage that best fits your needs. While the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period from October 15 to December 7 is the most well-known opportunity to make coverage changes, beneficiaries may also qualify for other enrollment periods throughout the year. Whether you're enrolling in Medicare for the first time, adjusting a Medicare Advantage plan, or experiencing a life event that affects your coverage, knowing your enrollment options can help you make informed decisions and avoid missing important deadlines.
Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is the time you can make changes to your Medicare coverage. If you’re enrolling for the first time or you have Medicare Advantage, you may have more chances to make changes to your coverage.
Here’s a quick guide to some of the Medicare enrollment periods and when they happen each year.
Medicare Initial Enrollment Period
Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is your first opportunity to sign up for Medicare. It generally begins when you turn 65.
The window to sign up begins three months before your birthday month, continues through your birthday month, and extends for three months afterward.
This period is your chance to elect to enroll in Original Medicare Parts A & B, and Part D. If you elect to delay or not enroll, you may face a penalty and pay more for your Medicare coverage.
You can also choose to enroll in a Medicare Supplement or a Medicare Advantage plan.
Medicare Annual Enrollment Period
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. This is the main time to review and update your Medicare Advantage plan coverage.
During AEP, you can:
- Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan
- Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
- Join, switch, or drop a Part D prescription drug plan
Changes take effect January 1 of the following year.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period
Medicare Advantage members have another opportunity to change plans during Open Enrollment Period (OEP). If the plan you chose during AEP isn’t meeting your expectations, this gives you the chance to make a change.
From January 1 to March 31, you can:
- Add a Part D drug plan if you go back to Original Medicare
- Drop your plan and return to Original Medicare
- Switch to another Medicare Advantage plan
You can only make one change during this time. Your new coverage starts the first day of the following month.
Special enrollment periods
When something changes in your life that affects your insurance coverage, you may be eligible to make changes to your coverage during a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).
SEPs don’t have specific dates because they only apply if you have a certain event happen in your life.
Here are a few examples of events that may qualify you for a SEP:
- You move out of your current county
- You experience a natural disaster that delayed or prevented enrollment
- You move back to the United States after living or serving out of the country
- You retire after the age of 65
These are just a few life events that may make you eligible for an SEP. You can see a full list of qualifying events on the Medicare website.
Enroll with confidence
When you have a better understanding of Medicare and when to enroll, you can have more confidence in your coverage. If you have questions about enrolling in Medicare or what coverage options are available to you, give us a call. Our Select Health Medicare Answer Team is happy to answer your questions. Contact us at 855-442-9940 (TTY: 866-506-6005).
Frequently asked questions about Medicare Open Enrollment
You can generally apply for Medicare when you turn 65. The Initial Enrollment Period starts three months before your birthday and ends three months after your birthday month. If you have certain disabilities, including end stage renal disease or ALS, you may be eligible for Medicare before age 65.
Typically, no. If you don’t make any changes to your plan, you will be re-enrolled for the coming year.
If you're on a Medicare Advantage plan that will no longer be offered, you will be notified by your plan. They will provide you with other plan options available to you and may offer to help you with next steps.
This article is intended for informational purposes only and is not legal or medical advice. Links to other sites are provided as a convenience, but Select Health does not endorse the third-party sites, information, or services.
The content included here is for your information and not a substitute for professional medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Additionally, this information does not guarantee benefits. To review your benefits, please reference your plan materials or call Member Services at 800-538-5038 weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., closed Sunday. TTY users call 711. Select Health Medicare members can call 855-442-9900 weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., closed Sunday. TTY users call 711.
Select Health is an HMO, SNP, plan sponsor with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Select Health Medicare depends on contract renewal.
Select Health obeys federal civil rights laws. We do not treat you differently because of your race, color, ethnic background or where you come from, age, disability, sex, religion, creed, language, social class, veteran status, and/or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal or state law.
This information is available for free in other languages and alternate formats by contacting: Select Health Medicare: 855-442-9900 (TTY: 711).
ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística.
注意：如果您使用繁體中文，您可以免費獲得語言援助服務
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