Medicare Enrollment FAQ

You can sign up during these four times:
 

• Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): When you first qualify for Medicare
• Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): October 15 to December 7 each year
• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP): January 1 to March 31 each year
• Special Enrollment Period (SEP): When certain life events happen

Do you want to learn more? Read more about each of these Medicare enrollment periods on this page. Or visit Unpacking Medicare enrollment for more info.

Your Medicare IEP starts when you first qualify for Medicare. This period lasts 7 months.

Your IEP:
 

• Starts 3 months before the month you first qualify
• Includes the month you first qualify
• Ends 3 months after the month you first qualified

For most people, you may qualify when you turn 65*. Are you under 65 with a qualifying disability? You may qualify in your 25th month of getting certain disability benefits*.

Medicare AEP goes from October 15 to December 7 each year.
 

Changes you make to your plan will start on January 1 of the next year.
 

During AEP you can:
 

• Switch Medicare plans
• Join a new Medicare plan
• Cancel your Medicare plan

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Medicare OEP goes from January 1 to March 31 each year.

If you already have a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, you can:
 

• Switch to another Medicare Advantage plan
• Go back to Original Medicare (Parts A and B)

Does your current plan not cover your drugs? You can switch to one that does, called a Medicare Advantage prescription drug plan (MAPD). You can also drop your prescription drug coverage (Part D) if you choose.

Learn more about Aetna Medicare Advantage plans

You can make changes during:
 

• AEP — October 15 to December 7 each year
• OEP — January 1 to March 31 each year (if you have Medicare Advantage)
• SEP — when certain events happen in your life

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There are a few steps you can take to enroll. Here are a few of your options.

You can enroll:
 

1. On EnrollMedicare.aetna.com
2. On Medicare.gov
3. By filling out a paper enrollment form
4. By calling Aetna at ${dynamicPhone} ${tty}, Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 8 PM

It’s a penalty that is added to your monthly Part D premium if you go without creditable prescription drug coverage, such as coverage through an employer or union, for 63 days or more after you are first eligible. You may pay it for as long as you have Part D. 

You will pay this penalty if:

• You did not join a Medicare drug plan when you first could
• You do not have other drug coverage that is just as good as Medicare’s (creditable coverage) 

In most cases, your Medicare policy will renew automatically. 

If you are an Aetna member, review your Medicare coverage. 

Most Medicare Advantage, Part D and Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans renew each year. If your plan is not offered the next year, you may need to reenroll.

You can enroll in a Medicare plan when you first become eligible during your Initial Enrollment Period. Start by signing up for Medicare Part A and Part B, then review plan options in your area and choose coverage that fits your needs. You can enroll online, by phone or with a licensed agent. 

Compare Aetna Medicare plan options.

If you were automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A, you can sign up for Part B through the Social Security Administration. You can apply online, visit a local office or call for assistance. It is important to enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period or a Special Enrollment Period to avoid late penalties. 

If your birthday is in December, your IEP begins three months before your birthday month and is usually the best time to enroll. Enrolling during this period can help you avoid delays in coverage and late enrollment penalties. AEP is typically used to make changes to existing coverage rather than enroll for the first time. 

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