Understanding Medicare enrollment periods (and when you can change your Medicare plan)

You mark every important date in your life on the calendar: a grandchild’s birthday, your wedding anniversary, summer vacation, even doctor appointments. But there are other critical moments you’ll want to make sure to remember, too — like when to sign up for a Medicare plan.

The time frame for enrolling in a Medicare plan is called an enrollment period.

If you miss the right time to enroll in Medicare, your coverage may be delayed, or you could face penalties later on. And that may end up costing you more.

Here are the key enrollment periods you need to know:

1. Medicare Initial Enrollment Period

Congratulations, you’re turning 65! Now you can enroll in a Medicare plan. You have a seven-month window to join during this period — from three months before the month you turn 65, through your birthday month and to three months after the month you turn 65. During this time, you can:
 

• Enroll in Medicare (Parts A and B) – contact Social Security to learn more
• Enroll in a stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plan (Part D)
• Enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C)

If you don’t sign up for Medicare Parts A and B or Part D when you’re first eligible, you could face Medicare late-enrollment penalties in the form of higher premiums. Read more about avoiding penalties.

View our chart with coverage start dates when you enroll in Medicare for the first time.

Tip: If you’re already receiving Social Security when you turn 65, you will be automatically enrolled in Original Medicare (Parts A and B).

Find more information on the different parts of Medicare.

Medicare Initial Enrollment Period

2. Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period

If you’re looking to supplement your Original Medicare coverage to help with additional costs, you have a six-month enrollment period that starts the first day of the month you turn 65 as long as you have signed up for Medicare Part B.

If you don’t sign up for a Medicare Supplement plan during this Open Enrollment Period, you may not be able to buy a Medicare Supplement plan. Unless you have a guaranteed issue right, you may be required to answer medical questions.

Find information on Medicare Supplement plans and discover how they may help you cover the gaps in Original Medicare.

3. Medicare General Enrollment Period

You can also sign up for Medicare Part A and/or Part B between January 1 and March 31 each year if both of these conditions apply:

• You didn't sign up when you were first eligible.
• You aren’t eligible for a Special Enrollment Period (see below).

Your coverage will start July 1. And you may be subject to penalties.

4. Medicare Annual Enrollment Period

Anyone can make changes to their coverage and enroll in a Medicare plan each year, from October 15 to December 7.
 

• If you have Original Medicare, you can switch to a Medicare Advantage plan — or vice versa.
• You can switch from a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage to one without — or vice versa.
• You can join or drop a Medicare prescription drug plan.
• You can also update your coverage by switching to a new plan from your current insurer or switching to a new insurer.

If you choose to make a change during Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period, your new coverage won’t begin until January 1. For more details on your coverage options, check out the coverage comparison chart.

Tip: If you’re happy with your current coverage, you’re not required to make a change. In most cases, your current Medicare plan will automatically renew on January 1.

5. Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period

This period takes place from January 1 through March 31 annually. It allows individuals enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan to make a one-time election to go to either another Medicare Advantage plan with or without prescription drug coverage or Original Medicare. You’ll also be able to enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan.
 

In either case, your new coverage will start on the first day of the month following the month you make a change.
 

Tip: If you go back to Original Medicare, you can also add a Medicare Supplement plan. However, unless you’re still within the six-month Medicare Supplement Enrollment Period, the insurance companies will require you to answer medical questions to qualify for coverage.

Medicare Advantage plans are only available through private insurers like Aetna®. Medicare Advantage plans may also include prescription drug coverage. Learn more about Medicare Advantage.

Medicare Enrollment Periods

6. Special Enrollment Period

In situations like the ones below, you may be able to join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plan outside the basic enrollment periods.

Moving out of your plan’s service area

• If you tell your Medicare plan before moving to another state or service area: You can switch starting the month before you move and two months after you move.
• If you tell your Medicare plan after moving to another state or service area: You can switch from the moment you notify your plan through the next two months.

Losing your current health care or prescription drug coverage

For example you may lose your current coverage when you leave your job. You have two months after you lose your coverage to sign up for a new Medicare plan. Your coverage will begin the first day of the month after you sign up.

Qualifying for financial assistance with Medicare costs

You can sign up once per calendar quarter during the first nine months of the year. Your coverage will begin the first day of the month after you qualify or ask to join a new plan. Learn more about how to qualify for Medicare financial assistance.

You can also switch to a 5-star Medicare Advantage plan or 5-star Medicare prescription drug plan once a year, from December 8 to November 30 of the next year.

The Medicare Star Ratings is an independent ratings system that allows consumers to evaluate plan performance on a number of factors. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services created these Star Ratings for consumers.

Health insurance companies strive to make sure their Medicare plans are high quality and achieve at least four stars. Learn more about Medicare Star Ratings.

Learn more about Special Enrollment Periods.

Once you’ve picked the enrollment period that fits your situation, you can sign up for a plan that’s right for you. Read on for a checklist of the items you’ll need to proceed.