Enrollment Periods

Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)

The 7-month window that surrounds your 65th birthday. This includes the 3 months before, the month you turn 65 and the 3 months after.

Medigap Open Enrollment

If you’re choosing Supplemental Medigap Coverage you will have a one-time opportunity to do this without answering any health questions. You have 6 months to enroll following your Part B effective date.

For example, if your Part B effective date is May 1, 2019 you will have until November 1, 2019 to enroll in supplemental coverage without underwriting. After this time period, insurers may discriminate and charge you higher premiums depending on your current state of health.

General Enrollment Period

January 1 to March 31 of each year.

If you were not automatically enrolled in Medicare, and you missed your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), you will have to wait until this enrollment period to sign up for coverage. Your coverage will then begin on July 1 of the year you enroll.

YOU MAY FACE LATE ENROLLMENT PENALTIES AND COULD POTENTIALLY BE WITHOUT COVERAGE IF YOU MISS YOUR IEP.

Special Enrollment Period

You can wait to enroll in Part B and not incur a premium penalty if you had coverage through your job or your spouse’s job at the time you became eligible for Medicare. You can enroll while you’re still covered and for another eight months after you lose your group coverage or you (or your spouse) stop working.

Annual Election Period (AEP)

October 15 through December 7 of each year

If you currently have Original Medicare this is the time period you can enroll or re-enroll in Part D coverage or Medicare Advantage plans. Coverage will begin on January 1 the following year.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP)

January 1 to March 31st of each year.

During this period you can switch from Medicare Advantage plans or switch back to traditional Medicare. If switching back to original Medicare you’re encouraged to pick up a Part D drug plan during this time so there will be no gap in coverage. Check out our new blog post for more information about this Enrollment Period.