Medicare: Enrollment periods

A seven-month period when a person can first enroll in Medicare (beginning three months before they turn 65, the month they turn 65, and the three months after they turn 65):

• Turning 65:

• Under 65 with a disability: 

Enrollment time frames are different for people who become eligible because of end-stage renal disease or Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS)

• What happens if your birthday is on the first of the month? 

  Your 7-month period starts earlier. It starts 4 months before you turn 65 and ends 2 months after the month you turn 65. Generally, your Medicare coverage starts the first day of the month before you turn 65. 

• Usually occurs from January 1 - March 31
• Coverage begins the first day of the month after the person enrolls
• If a person missed their EIP and are not eligible for a Special Enrollment Period, they can enroll during the GEP. Late enrollment penalties may apply. 

• Special circumstances may allow a person to enroll into Medicare Part A and Part B outside of their IEP, including: 
  • Individuals impacted by an emergency or natural disaster
  • Group Health Plan (GHP) or employer misrepresentation
  • Coordinate with termination of Medicaid coverage
  • Employer insurance ending (see Medicare and employer insurance Quick Reference for more information) 
  • Formerly Incarcerated Individuals (see Medicare and incarceration Quick Reference for more information)
  • Exceptional circumstances
• Helpful links:
  • Application to enroll into A and or B due to SEP
  • Online Application for Part B SEP
  • Complete list of SEPs
  • When does Medicare coverage start? ​​​​​​​​​​

• Special circumstances may allow a person to enroll in Medicare Part D or an Advantage Plan outside their IEP, including:
  • moving out of their plan's service area
  • losing employer-based coverage
  • having Medicare Part D Extra Help.
• Helpful links:
  • Complete list of SEPs
  • Medicare Interactive SEP Chart
  • When does Medicare coverage start? ​​​​​​

• Occurs annually from October 15 - December 7. 
• Coverage begins January 1 of the following year.
  • Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare health plan
  • Change from a Medicare health plan to Original Medicare
  • Join, drop, or switch Medicare Part D prescription drug plans
  • Change to a different Medicare health plan

Note: there is NOT an open enrollment period for Medigap policies during this time. ​

• New to Medicare: Those who enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan during their IEP can change to a different Medicare Advantage Plan or return to Original Medicare one-time only during the first three months of enrolling in Medicare Part and Part B.
• Annually: January 1 - March 31. A person enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan can switch to a different Medicare Advantage Plan or return to Original Medicare and enroll in a separate Part D plan.

When switching Medicare Advantage Plans, the person must not disenroll from their current plan. Enrolling in a new plan will trigger a disenrollment in the current plan.