Medicare Enrollment Periods: When Can I Enroll?

If you’re becoming eligible for Medicare, or you’re looking to change Medicare plans and coverage, knowing the dates and details of your enrollment period is important.

Here’s some information to help you get the Medicare coverage you need and to avoid penalties or gaps in coverage.

Enrollment periods when you’re first eligible
1. Initial Enrollment Period
2. Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period
Enrollment periods throughout the year

When can I sign up for Medicare for the first time?

Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)

For many people, Medicare’s Initial Enrollment Period is your first chance to enroll in Original Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance). If you’re under 65 and receive Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits, you may be automatically enrolled in Original Medicare. However, you’ll still have an IEP and will be able to make Medicare coverage decisions during that time.¹

Dates: IEP begins 3 months before you turn 65, through your birthday month, and ends 3 months after.

During your Initial Enrollment Period, you can:

Enroll in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B)
Delay Medicare Part B (if you already have creditable coverage)
Enroll in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan
Enroll in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan

Additional information:

When you become eligible for Original Medicare you also become eligible for Medicare Advantage (Part C). The first enrollment period for Medicare Advantage is called the Initial Coverage Election Period (ICEP).
If you don’t sign up for Medicare when you’re first eligible, you may face late enrollment penalties.
If you’re still employed when you become eligible for Medicare, you may delay enrolling in Part B and qualify for a Special Enrollment Period later. Learn more about when to sign up for Medicare if you’re still working past 65.

Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period

The Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period is your best time to buy a Medicare Supplement insurance plan without answering health questions. Even if you have health problems, you can buy any policy a company sells for the same price as people with good health.²

Dates: Your Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period begins the first day of the month you have Medicare Part B and you’re age 65 or older. For many people, this is the first day of the month they turn 65.

During Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment, you can:

Buy any Medicare Supplement policy sold in your state, even if you have health problems
Potentially get better prices and more choices among policies

Additional information:

After this 6-month enrollment period ends, you may not be able to buy a Medicare Supplement policy. If you’re able to buy one, it may cost more due to past or present health problems.
If you apply after your open enrollment period, there is no guarantee that an insurance company will sell you a policy, unless you are eligible for a guaranteed issue right.
If you’re under age 65 and have Medicare, you may not be able to buy a Medicare Supplement policy or the one you want until you turn 65.
Some states do require companies to sell you a policy, even if you’re under age 65.

A calendar of the Medicare enrollment periods including General Enrollment Period, Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period and Medicare’s Fall Open Enrollment Period

There are certain times throughout the year when you can enroll in Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan. January 1 through March 31 is the General Enrollment Period for Parts A and B, where if you missed your Initial Enrollment Period, you can enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period is also between January 1 and March 31 and allows people already enrolled in an Medicare Advantage plan to switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare. Medicare’s Fall Open Enrollment Period, or Annual Enrollment Period, is from October 15 through December 7. If you’re already enrolled in Medicare, you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, switch plans and add or drop prescription drug coverage.

When can I join, switch or drop a Medicare plan throughout the year?

Medicare Open Enrollment Period

Medicare plans can change each year—including cost, coverage and networks. Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period, known as the Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan “annual election period” or “annual enrollment period” takes place each year from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. Coverage changes start on Jan. 1 if the plans gets your request by Dec. 7. This is the primary time when people with Medicare can choose a plan, but there are other times during the year that may be called “open enrollment” or “special enrollment” periods when a person can enroll in a plan, which are explained in more detail below.”³

Dates: Oct. 15–Dec. 7

During Medicare Open Enrollment, you can:

Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or vice versa
Join a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan
Switch from a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage plan without drug coverage, or vice versa
Change Medicare Part D prescription drug plans
Disenroll from a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan

Additional information:

Your coverage will begin on Jan. 1 (if the plan gets your request by Dec. 7)

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP)

If you already have a Medicare Advantage plan, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period is when you can enroll in another Medicare Advantage plan or go back to Original Medicare. However, you can only make 1 change within the period, and other rules apply as well.³

Dates: Jan. 1–March 31

During the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, you can:

Switch to another Medicare Advantage plan, with or without drug coverage
Switch back to Original Medicare, and if needed, add a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan

Additional information:

Changes take place the first day of the following month after the enrollment request is received

General Enrollment Period (GEP)

If you miss your chance to apply for Original Medicare during your IEP, or you weren’t automatically enrolled, the Medicare General Enrollment Period is your chance to sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B.³

Dates: Jan. 1–March 31

During the General Enrollment Period, you can:

Additional information:

Coverage will start on July 1
You may have to pay a late enrollment penalty

Special Enrollment Period (SEP)

A Special Enrollment Period is your chance to make changes to your Medicare coverage outside of the Open Enrollment Period when certain events happen in your life.³

When do you qualify for a special enrollment period?

Certain life events may qualify you for a SEP. These can include:

Losing your existing coverage
Moving
Your Medicare plan changed
Ability to get other healthcare coverage
Your eligibility changed

Dates: The length of your SEP can vary depending on the type of qualifying event.

Generally, your SEP will last 2–3 months, depending on the time of the qualifying event
Your SEP to sign up for Medicare Part B lasts 8 months after your employer health coverage ends

During a Special Enrollment Period, you can:

Sign up for Medicare Part A and/or Part B if you delayed coverage due to employment
Make changes to your Medicare coverage, including Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug coverage

Do I need to re-enroll every year?

If you’re already enrolled in Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan, your plan will renew automatically. Check out these renewal and enrollment details of common Medicare plans for more information.

Explore your Medicare coverage options

Your health and prescription drug needs can change from year to year. Now that you understand the details about Medicare enrollment periods, it may be a good time to learn more about your Medicare coverage options. Here’s some helpful information to compare Medicare Advantage plans and change your Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.