Medicare enrollment periods

Medicare runs on calendars. Knowing which window applies to you prevents penalties and gaps in coverage.

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The Medicare year at a glance

Recurring windows every Medicare beneficiary should mark on the kitchen calendar.

MA Open EnrollmentJan 1 - Mar 31

General EnrollmentJan 1 - Mar 31

Annual Notice of Change arrivesLate Sep

Annual EnrollmentOct 15 - Dec 7

Every window, explained

IEP

Initial Enrollment Period

7 months around your 65th birthday

What you can do: Sign up for Parts A and B, choose a Medicare Advantage plan or a Part D plan for the first time.
Who it applies to: Everyone becoming eligible for Medicare at 65.
Advisor tip: Apply in the three months before your birthday month so coverage starts on time.

AEP

Annual Enrollment Period

October 15 - December 7

What you can do: Switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, change Advantage plans, join or change Part D plans. Changes start January 1.
Who it applies to: Everyone with Medicare.
Advisor tip: Read your Annual Notice of Change in late September before this window opens.

MA OEP

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment

January 1 - March 31

What you can do: Make one change: switch to another Advantage plan, or return to Original Medicare and add Part D.
Who it applies to: People already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.
Advisor tip: Only one change is allowed, so plan it carefully with your doctors in mind.

GEP

General Enrollment Period

January 1 - March 31

What you can do: Enroll in Part A (if you pay a premium) or Part B if you missed your Initial Enrollment Period. Coverage starts the month after you sign up.
Who it applies to: People who missed their IEP and do not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
Advisor tip: Late enrollment penalties may apply, so call us before you rely on this window.

SEP

Special Enrollment Periods

Triggered by life events

What you can do: Change or join plans outside the usual windows after qualifying events.
Who it applies to: People who move, lose employer coverage, gain or lose Medicaid, move into a facility and more.
Advisor tip: Most SEPs have deadlines of two to eight months. The clock starts with the event.

Medigap OEP

Medigap Open Enrollment

6 months from Part B at 65+

What you can do: Buy any Medicare Supplement policy sold in your state with no health questions and no higher price for conditions.
Who it applies to: People 65 and older in their first six months of Part B.
Advisor tip: This happens once per lifetime in Georgia. Do not let it pass without deciding.

Common Special Enrollment triggers

If one of these just happened, call us. Deadlines start the day of the event.

You move
Out of your plan's service area, or to or from a nursing home.
Employer coverage ends
You or your spouse stop working or the group plan ends. Eight months for Part B.
Medicaid or Extra Help changes
Gaining, losing or changing levels of assistance.
Your plan leaves
A plan stops serving your county or ends its Medicare contract.

Timing questions

Still wondering about something? A licensed advisor can answer in plain English, usually the same day.

Call a licensed advisor(912) 555-0143 All questions

Only during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January through March, if you have an Advantage plan) or a Special Enrollment Period tied to a qualifying event.

Changes made between October 15 and December 7 take effect January 1 of the following year.

Yes. After employer coverage based on current work ends, you have eight months to enroll in Part B without penalty, and usually 63 days to join a Part D or Advantage plan.

Medicare enrollment periods

The Medicare year at a glance

Every window, explained

Common Special Enrollment triggers

You move

Employer coverage ends

Medicaid or Extra Help changes

Your plan leaves

Timing questions

Can I change plans in the middle of the year?

When does coverage start if I change plans during AEP?

Is there a deadline after I retire?

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