Turning 65? It’s time to understand how and when you can enroll in Medicare!
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)
Medicare Part A (hospital insurance): Automatically enrolled at no cost if you’ve worked 10 years and qualify for Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits.
Medicare Part B (medical insurance): Automatically enrolled (with fee), but can opt out. Still working and covered by an employer health plan? Delay Part B without penalty and enroll during a later SEP.
General Enrollment Period (GEP)
Miss your IEP? Sign up for Medicare Parts A and/or B from January 1 – March 31. Coverage begins July 1, but late enrollment penalties may apply.
Special Enrollment Period (SEP)
Experienced a life-changing event (e.g., losing employer coverage, moving, or changes in Medicaid eligibility)? You may qualify for a SEP to enroll outside the standard windows.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP)
From January 1 – March 31, if you’re enrolled in an MA plan, you can:
• Switch to another MA plan.
• Drop your plan and return to Original Medicare, with the option to add a Medicare Supplement and/or Prescription Drug Plan (PDP).
Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)
From October 15 – December 7, you can:
• Move from Original Medicare to an MA plan (with or without prescription drug coverage).
• Join, drop, or switch PDPs.
• Switch MA plans or return to Original Medicare (with supplemental coverage options).
Act Early. Stay Covered. Avoid Penalties.
Enroll or make changes before your window closes to ensure coverage starts January 1 of the following year.
