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
• 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 enrollment periods on this page. Or visit Unpacking Medicare enrollment for more info.

Your 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*.

This period goes from October 15 to December 7 each year.

Most 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

This period goes from January 1 to March 31 each year.

If you already have a Medicare Advantage plan, you can:

• Switch to another Medicare Advantage plan
• Go back to Original Medicare

Does your current plan not cover your drugs? You can move to one that does. You can also drop your drug coverage if you choose.

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

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

You can enroll:
 

1. On 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 will be added to your monthly Part D premium in some cases. 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)

Read your Evidence of Coverage to learn more.

In most cases, your policy will renew automatically.
 

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