Medicare Enrollment Periods
Understanding Medicare enrollment periods is key to getting the right coverage at the right time. Missing important deadlines could mean paying late penalties or having gaps in your health insurance. Below is a simple guide to help you make sense of the different times you can enroll in Medicare.
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)
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Your Initial Enrollment Period is your first chance to sign up for Medicare.
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It lasts for 7 months: the 3 months before your 65th birthday, your birthday month, and the 3 months after.
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During this window, you can enroll in Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance).
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You can also choose to add Medicare Advantage (Part C) or a Prescription Drug Plan (Part D).
General Enrollment Period (GEP)
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If you missed your Initial Enrollment Period, you still have another chance.
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The General Enrollment Period runs from January 1 through March 31 each year.
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Coverage starts July 1, but late penalties may apply if you waited too long.
Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)
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The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, also called the Open Enrollment Period, happens every fall.
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Dates: October 15 to December 7.
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What you can do:
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Switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage
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Join, drop, or change a Part D prescription drug plan
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Review and adjust your coverage for the upcoming year
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This is the most common time when people review their plans to make sure they still meet their health and budget needs.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP)
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If you’re already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you have another opportunity.
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Dates: January 1 to March 31.
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What you can do:
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Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan
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Drop Medicare Advantage and go back to Original Medicare (with the option to join a Part D plan)
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Special Enrollment Periods (SEP)
Life happens, and Medicare has rules to help you adjust.
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Special Enrollment Periods let you make changes outside the usual enrollment windows if you qualify.
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Common reasons include:
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Moving to a new address
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Losing employer health coverage
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Qualifying for Medicaid or Extra Help
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The length of your SEP depends on your specific situation.
Need Help with Medicare Enrollment?
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Medicare can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. I’m a licensed independent insurance broker, and I help people understand their options and choose coverage that truly fits their needs. If you’re not sure which enrollment period applies to you—or which Medicare plan makes the most sense—I can guide you through the process step by step.