Enrollment Periods

 Generally, when you turn 65. This is called your Initial Enrollment Period. It lasts for 7 months, starting 3 months before you turn 65, and ending 3 months after the month you turn 65. 

 You can sign up between January 1-March 31 each year. This is called the General Enrollment Period. Your coverage starts the month after you sign up. You might pay a monthly late enrollment penalty, if you don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. 

 Varies. Only for certain situations that happen in your life, like moving to a new address, losing or changing your current coverage, getting Medicaid, or getting Extra Help to pay drug costs, and more. Learn more about Special Enrollment Periods. 

Generally, you can join a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage) or Medicare drug plan, or switch to another plan.

Starting January 1, 2024, if you sign up for Part A and/or Part B during a Special Enrollment Period because of an exceptional situation, you’ll have 2 months to join a plan or switch to another plan.

October 15-December 7.

• Join, drop, or switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan (or add or drop drug coverage).
• Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan or from a Medicare Advantage Plan to Original Medicare.
• Join, drop, or switch to another Medicare drug plan if you’re in Original Medicare.
• Effective January 1 of the next year.