Enrollment Periods
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), three months before and after you turn 65
For those who have never been eligible for Medicare, you will be able to enroll during the Initial Enrollment Period, which opens three months before you turn 65 and ends three months afterwards. This Initial Enrollment Period is where you choose which plan you want to start with.
Get Started With Medicare: Find further information on the Initial Enrollment Period or start your sign-up process.
General Enrollment Period (GEP), January 1 – March 31
Anyone who missed their Initial Enrollment Period may enroll in Medicare Parts A and B.
Medicare Advantage beneficiaries may change their plans during the Open Enrollment Period, or switch to Original Medicare.
Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), October 15 – December 7
The Annual Enrollment Period, also known as Open Enrollment, takes place each year from October 15 to December 7. This is the period where if you are already enrolled in Medicare you can make changes to your Medicare plan coverage.
Changes you may make during AEP include the following:
- Switch from Original Medicare to an Advantage plan or vice versa.
- Switch to an Advantage Plan where you choose whether to have prescription drug coverage or not.
- Change from one Advantage plan to another.
- Join, switch or leave a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.
- Switch to a private insurer.
Considerations during AEP:
- Out of pockets costs: When making your Medicare decisions, consider costs of premiums, deductibles, copayments, and any other payments not covered by Medicare.
- Prescription drug coverage: Check to see which drugs your plan covers, especially the drugs you currently use or may use in the future.
- Health care needs: Consider whether upcoming or expected surgeries are covered and whether you would need to switch providers with the plan you choose.
- Travel plans : Remember that Original Medicare does not typically cover overseas health care costs, so if you plan to travel overseas you may consider enrolling in a supplemental insurance plan.
Special Enrollment Period (SEP), depending on eligibility
Beneficiaries may change their Medicare coverage if they experience a qualifying event.
Helpful Resources for Medicare Enrollment
- Compare Medicare Drug Coverage: Learn more about choosing which drug coverage plan is best for you.
- Compare Plans: Find Medicare Advantage Plans linked to your zip code, nearby providers and provider comparisons.
- Extra Help: Learn about a program that helps you cover the costs for the Medicare drug coverage (Part D) and apply here.
- Medicare Yearly Review: Step-by-step guide to help you through the enrollment period.
- Provider Search: Find providers near you who accept Medicare coverage, including doctors, clinicians, hospitals, nursing homes, home health services, hospice care, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, long-term care hospitals and analysis facilities.
- Understanding Medicare Part C and D: Learn more about the Advantage plan as well as the Medicare Drug plan.
It’s easy to become a patient
We know selecting or changing your clinician is an important decision. That’s why our caring team members are available to answer all your questions and help you every step of the way, and that includes helping you transition your medical records if they’re with another doctor. It’s that easy!
