There are several times when you can enroll in Medicare, and each of those times has certain rules around applying and when your coverage will begin. Understanding when you can enroll and the best time to do so is an integral part of getting your Medicare.
Initial Enrollment Period
The Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is the first time you can sign up for Medicare. You may join Medicare Parts A, B, C and D during this time:
The 3 months before your 65th birthday,
The month of your birthday, and
The 3 months after your birthday.
Open Enrollment Period
The Open Enrollment Period – sometimes called the Annual Election Period or Annual Coordinated Enrollment Period – runs each year from October 15 to December 7. During this time,
Anyone with Medicare Parts A & B can switch to a Part C plan.
Anyone with Medicare Part C can switch back to Parts A & B.
Anyone who has or is signing up for Medicare Parts A or B can join, drop or switch a Part D prescription drug plan.
Anyone with Medicare Part C can switch to a new Part C plan.
Your coverage will start January 1 of the following year.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period
The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period provides additional opportunities to change your Medicare Advantage plan outside the Annual Election Period (October 15 – December 7).
Special Enrollment Period
There are Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) that apply when you are able to delay your enrollment in Medicare Parts A, B, C & D. These SEPs are only available for certain circumstances.
Special Enrollment for Parts A and B
You may have waited to sign up for Medicare Part A (hospital service) and/or Part B (outpatient medical services) if you were working for an employer with more than 20 employees when you turned 65, and had healthcare coverage through your job or union, or through your spouse’s job.
You can get a Special Enrollment Period to sign up for Parts A and/or B:
Any time you are still covered by the employer or union group health plan through you or your spouse’s current or active employment, OR
During the 8 months following the month the employer or union group health plan coverage ends, or when the employment ends (whichever is first).
If you wait longer, you may have to pay a penalty when you join.
If you are disabled and working (or you have coverage from a working family member), the Special Enrollment Period rules also apply as long as the employer has more than 100 employees.
Special Enrollment for Parts C and D
You may have waited to sign up for Medicare Part C or Part D if you were working for an employer with more than 20 employees when you turned 65, and had healthcare coverage through your job or union, or through your spouse’s job. The Special Enrollment Period for Part C (Medicare AdvantagePlan) and Part D (drug coverage) is 63 days after the loss of employer healthcare coverage.
You can get a Special Enrollment Period to sign up for Part C (must enroll in Parts A & B too):
During the 63 days after the employer or union group health plan coverage ends, or when the employment ends (whichever is first).
You can get a Special Enrollment Period to sign up for Part D (must enroll in Part A and/or B too):
During the 63 days after you or your spouse’s employer/union or Veteran’s Administration coverage ends, or when the employment ends (whichever is first).
Certain events trigger other Special Enrollment Periods for Part D plans. For example, you can switch plans if:
You move out of the area your current plan serves, OR
You enter, leave or live in a nursing home, OR
Your plan changes and no longer serves your area, OR
You get Extra Help with your Medicare prescription drug costs.