Medicare Enrollment Periods

Understanding Medicare Enrollment
Periods

Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)

The Initial Enrollment Period is a 7-month period that begins 3 months before the month a person
turns 65, includes their birthday month, and ends 3 months after they turn 65. This is when
individuals can sign up for Medicare Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D for the first time. For those
eligible due to disability, this period begins three months before their 25th month of disability
payments, includes the 25th month, and ends 3 months after. If beneficiaries don't enroll during
their IEP, they could face a late enrollment penalty on top of their monthly premium. Coverage
start dates depend on when enrollment occurs during the IEP, with coverage beginning on the first
day of the birthday month if enrollment happens in the first three months.

General Enrollment Period (GEP)

The General Enrollment Period runs from January 1 to March 31 each year and provides an
opportunity for individuals who missed their Initial Enrollment Period to enroll in Medicare Part A
and/or Part B. This period is available to those who did not sign up when first eligible and do not
qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Coverage begins the month after enrollment during the
GEP. However, beneficiaries who enroll during this period may face late enrollment penalties. The
Part B penalty is 10% of the standard monthly premium for each full year enrollment was delayed,
and this penalty continues for as long as the person has Part B coverage.

Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)

Every year, Medicare's open enrollment period is October 15 through December 7, when all
people with Medicare can change their Medicare health plans and prescription drug coverage for
the following year to better meet their needs. New coverage choices go into effect on January 1.
During AEP, beneficiaries can switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan or vice
versa, join or change a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, or switch between different
Medicare Advantage plans. Individuals in a Medicare health or prescription drug plan should
review the materials their plans send them, like the Evidence of Coverage and Annual Notice of
Change, to make sure their plans will still meet their needs for the following year. If beneficiaries
are satisfied with their current plans, they don't need to take any action and their coverage will
automatically renew.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP)

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs from January 1 to March 31 each year and
allows current Medicare Advantage members to adjust their coverage. During this period,
Medicare Advantage plan members can make changes to their existing plans or disenroll from
their current plans and return to Original Medicare. Beneficiaries can switch to a different Medicare
Advantage plan or switch to Original Medicare and add a Part D drug plan if they wish, but can
only make one plan change during this window. Individuals enrolled in Original Medicare (Parts A
and B) only are not eligible to participate in the Medicare Advantage OEP. Any changes made
during the MA OEP take effect the first day of the month after the request is received.