When is the Medicare General Enrollment Period (GEP)?

3-minute readPublished 01/26/2026Updated 05:57 AM EST, 01/20/2026

The Medicare General Enrollment Period (GEP) runs from Jan. 1 to March 31 each year. This is your chance to sign up for Original Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and/or Part B (Medical Insurance) if you missed your Initial Enrollment Period .¹

Here’s a closer look at the Medicare General Enrollment Period (GEP).

What is the Medicare General Enrollment Period (GEP)?

The GEP is a 3-month period each year for people who didn’t sign up for Part A or Part B when first eligible. Coverage starts the first day of the month after you enroll.

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3-minute readPublished 01/26/2026Updated 05:57 AM EST, 01/20/2026

Who is eligible to enroll in Medicare during the General Enrollment Period?

You can use the General Enrollment Period if:

You were eligible for Original Medicare but missed your Initial Enrollment Period.
You’re not eligible for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) , which is offered after life events like moving or losing other health coverage.

How to enroll in Medicare during the General Enrollment Period (GEP)

There are 3 ways to enroll during the GEP, including:

Online: Go to the Social Security Administration (SSA) website opens in new window .
By phone: Call the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 (TTY: 800-325-0778), Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Help is available in English, Spanish and other languages.
In person: Visit your local Social Security office. To find an SSA office near you, use this search tool opens in new window .

Will I pay a penalty if I enroll during the General Enrollment Period (GEP)?

It depends. You may have to pay a late enrollment penalty if you don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Here are the Part A and Part B late enrollment penalties explained:

Part A penalty: Most people don’t pay a premium for Part A, so a late enrollment penalty is rare. However, if you do have to buy Part A and you enroll late, your monthly premium may increase up to 10%. You’ll have to pay this higher premium for twice the number of years you didn't sign up.

Part B penalty: The Part B late enrollment penalty is more common. Your monthly premium may increase by 10% for each full 12-month period you could have had Part B but didn’t sign up. This penalty is not a 1-time fee—you’ll have to pay it as long as you have Part B coverage.

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We have over 120 articles about Medicare coverage, costs, enrollment and more. To learn more about Medicare, check out our Medicare resources .

Frequently asked questions

What happens if I miss the General Enrollment Period?

You’ll have to wait until the next GEP begins Jan.1 of the following year. You can’t enroll until then unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

Does the General Enrollment Period impact Part D enrollment?

It can. If you sign up for Part A or Part B during the GEP, you’ll get a special 2-month window to join a Medicare Part D (prescription drug) plan . You can enroll from April 1 to June 30 with your coverage starting July 1. Enrolling late may get you a Part D late enrollment penalty .

What are the other Medicare enrollment periods?

There are 5 Medicare enrollment periods in addition to the General Enrollment Period: Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP), Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period and Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs).