Overview of Each Enrollment Period

 

 

Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)

 

 

• Starts 3 months before, includes the month of, and continues 3 months after your 65th birthday

• You can enroll in Original Medicare (Part A and B) and add a Part D or Medicare Advantage plan

 

Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)

• Runs from October 15 to December 7

• You can:

  • Switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage (Part C)

  • Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another

  • Enroll in, change, or drop a Part D drug plan

  • Return to Original Medicare​

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Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP)

• From January 1 to March 31

• For people already in a Medicare Advantage plan

• You can:

  • Switch to another Medicare Advantage plan

  • Drop it and go back to Original Medicare (and join a Part D plan if needed)

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Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs)

• You may qualify for a SEP if:

  • You move out of your plan’s service area

  • You lose employer or union coverage

  • You qualify for Medicaid or Extra Help

  • You leave a 5-star plan or live in an area affected by a declared emergency

• Timing varies depending on the situation

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General Enrollment Period (GEP)

• Runs January 1 to March 31

• For people who didn’t enroll in Medicare during their IEP

• Coverage begins July 1, and you may have late penalties

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Medigap Open Enrollment Period

If you want a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan, you have a dedicated enrollment window.

Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period begins the month you are 65 or older and enrolled in Part B, and lasts for six months.

• What You Can Do: Purchase any Medigap policy available in your state without medical underwriting.

• Note: After this window, insurers may require medical underwriting, and acceptance could be denied based on health conditions.

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Avoiding Late Enrollment Penalties

Failing to enroll in Medicare on time can result in permanent financial penalties.

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Here’s how the penalties work:

Medicare Part    |         Late Penalty Details

Part B                           10% increase in premium for every 12 months you were eligible                                          but did not enroll.

Part D                           1% increase in premium for every month you delayed enrollment                                        without other creditable prescription drug coverage.

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These penalties are typically added to your monthly premiums and usually apply for as long as you have Medicare coverage.

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How to Avoid Penalties​​​

• Sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period (3 months before, the month of, and 3 months after your 65th birthday)

• If you’re still working past 65 and have employer coverage, make sure it qualifies as “creditable coverage”

• Once that employer coverage ends, you typically get a Special Enrollment Period to sign up without penalties