Medicare

When to Sign up For Medicare – Information Chart & Guidelines

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Medicare enrollment options and important sign up datesUnderstanding when to sign up for Medicare is one of the most important steps you’ll take as you approach retirement. Missing the right enrollment period could mean higher costs or gaps in your coverage. Here’s a guide to help you know when and how to join a Medicare health or drug plan.

Who Can Sign Up for Medicare Health or Drug Plans

To join a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) or a Medicare drug plan (Part D), you generally must:

  • Have Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance).

  • Live in the service area of the plan you want to join.

  • Be a U.S. citizen or lawfully present in the U.S.

  • Have your Medicare Number and your Part A and/or Part B start dates (found on your Medicare card).

When You Can Sign Up

You can only enroll, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage Plan, other Medicare health plan, or a drug plan at specific times. These are called Medicare enrollment periods.

Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)

  • Your IEP is a 7-month window that starts 3 months before you turn 65, includes your birthday month, and continues for 3 months after.

  • During this time, you can sign up for Original Medicare (Parts A & B) and add a Medicare Advantage or drug plan.

Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)

  • Every year from October 15 to December 7, you can join, switch, or drop a Medicare health or drug plan.

  • Any changes you make take effect on January 1 of the following year.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period

  • If you already joined a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can switch to another Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare during January 1 to March 31.

Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs)

  • Certain life events—such as moving to a new area, losing employer coverage, or qualifying for Extra Help—allow you to make changes outside the usual periods.

Enrollment period You can: Coverage starts:
Initial Enrollment Period
(new to Medicare)

Starts 3 months before you get Medicare (Part A and/or Part B) and ends 3 months after you get Medicare.		 Join any plan.
  • You need both Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) to join a Medicare Advantage Plan with or without drug coverage.
  • You need either Part A or Part B to join a Medicare drug plan.
 Varies, depending on when the plan gets your request:
  • If you request to join a plan before your Medicare Part A and/or Part B starts: Your plan coverage starts the same day as when your Medicare Part A and/or Part B starts.
  • If you request to join a plan after your Medicare Part A and/or Part B starts: Your plan coverage starts the first of the month after the plan gets your request.
Initial Enrollment Period – New to Part B
(only applies if your Part A coverage has already started and you add Part B)		 Starts 3 months before the month you’re first eligible for both Part A and Part B. You’ll have 2 months after you get both Part A and Part B for the first time to join a plan. The month after you join the plan.
Open Enrollment Period
October 15-December 7.
  • Join, drop, or switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan with or without drug coverage (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.
 January 1 of the next year (the plan must get your enrollment request by December 7).
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period
(only if you’re already in a Medicare Advantage Plan)
  • January 1-March 31.
  • Within the first 3 months you get Medicare.
  • Switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan with or without drug coverage.
  • Drop your Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare. You’ll also be able to join a separate Medicare drug plan.
 First of the month after the plan gets your request.
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. Learn more about Special Enrollment Periods.

Depending on your situation:
  • Join a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage) or Medicare drug plan
  • Switch to another plan
 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.

Varies. Generally, the first of the month after the plan gets your request.
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