MEDICARE
ENROLLMENT PERIODS
Knowing when you can enroll, switch, or change your Medicare coverage is critical. Missing a window can mean penalties or gaps in coverage.
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)
Your first opportunity to enroll in Medicare. Begins 3 months before your 65th birthday month and ends 3 months after. This is the most important enrollment window — missing it can result in permanent late penalties.
What you can do:
- Enroll in Medicare Part A
- Enroll in Medicare Part B
- Join a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan
- Join a Medicare Part D drug plan
- Purchase a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policy
Missing your IEP can result in a permanent 10% Part B penalty for each 12-month period you delayed, and a 1% monthly Part D penalty.
Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)
The main window each year when anyone with Medicare can review and change their coverage. Changes made during AEP take effect January 1 of the following year.
What you can do:
- Switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage
- Switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare
- Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
- Join, switch, or drop a Part D drug plan
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (MA OEP)
If you're already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can make one change during this period. This is your chance to correct a decision made during AEP.
What you can do:
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
- Drop your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare
- Join a Part D plan (if returning to Original Medicare)
You cannot use MA OEP to switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage.
Special Enrollment Period (SEP)
Certain life events allow you to make Medicare changes outside of standard enrollment windows. SEPs have specific timeframes — usually 60 days from the qualifying event.
What you can do:
- You move to a new address outside your plan's service area
- You lose employer-sponsored health coverage
- Your Medicare Advantage plan leaves the Medicare program
- You move into or out of a nursing home or assisted living
- You qualify for Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy)
SEP windows are time-sensitive. Contact us immediately if you experience a qualifying event.
Not Sure Which Period Applies to You?
Our licensed agents will review your situation and tell you exactly when and how you can make changes to your Medicare coverage — at no cost to you.