Medicare Enrollment Periods Q&A
Initial Enrollment Period - First Signing Up for medicare
What can I do?
Sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan and/or a Medicare drug plan
When?
During the 7-month period that:
- Starts 3 months before the month you turn 65
- Includes the month you turn 65
- Ends 3 months after you turn 65
Annual Enrollment Period
What can I do?
- Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan.
- Change from a Medicare Advantage Plan back to Original Medicare.
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan.
- Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn’t offer drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage.
- Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn’t offer drug coverage.
- Join a Medicare drug plan.
- Switch from one Medicare drug plan to another Medicare drug plan.
- Drop your Medicare drug coverage completely.
When?
Each year from October 15 – December 7
I don't have Medicare Part A and I enrolled in Medicare Part B during the Part B General Enrollment Period (January 1- March 31).
What can I do?
Sign up for a Medicare drug plan.
When?
Each year from April 1 – June 30
What can I do?
Sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage).
When?
Each year from April 1 – June 30
What can I do?
If you’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan and want to change your health plan, you can do one of these:
- Switch to a different Medicare Advantage Plan with or without drug coverage.
- Go back to Original Medicare and, if needed, also join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan
When?
Each year from January 1 – March 31
What can I do?
If you’re in a Medicare Advantage (MA) Plan and you move outside your plan’s service area, you can also choose to return to Original Medicare. If you don’t enroll in a new MA Plan during the time explained below, you’ll be enrolled in Original Medicare when you’re disenrolled from your old Medicare Advantage Plan.
When?
If you tell your plan before you move, your chance to switch plans begins the month before the month you move and continues for 2 full months after you move.
If you tell your plan after you move, your chance to switch plans begins the month you tell your plan, plus 2 more full months.
What can I do?
Switch to a new Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
When?
If you tell your plan before you move, your chance to switch plans begins the month before the month you move and continues for 2 full months after you move.
If you tell your plan after you move, your chance to switch plans begins the month you tell your plan, plus 2 more full months.
What can I do?
Join a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
When?
Your chance to join lasts for 2 full months after the month you move back to the U.S.
What can I do?
- Join a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
- Switch from your current plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
- Drop your Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare.
- Drop your Medicare prescription drug coverage.
When?
Your chance to join, switch, or drop coverage lasts if you live in the institution and for 2 full months after the month you leave the institution.
What can I do?
- Join a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
- Switch from your current plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
- Drop your Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare.
- Drop your Medicare prescription drug coverage.
What can I do?
Your chance to change lasts for 3 full months from either the date you’re no longer eligible or notified, whichever is later.
What can I do?
Join a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
When?
Your chance to join lasts for 2 full months after the month your coverage ends.
What can I do?
Join a Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage or a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
When?
Your chance to join lasts 2 full months after the month you lose your creditable coverage or you’re notified that your current coverage is no longer credible, whichever is later.
What can I do?
Drop your current Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to enroll in the private plan offered by your employer or union.
When?
Whenever your employer or union allows you to make changes in your plan.
What can I do?
Drop your current Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage or your Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
When?
Anytime.
What can I do?
Join, switch, or drop your Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare prescription drug coverage.
When?
One time during each of these periods:
- January-March
- April-June
- July-September
If you make a change, it will take effect on the first day of the following month. You’ll have to wait for the next period to make another change. You can’t use this Special Enrollment Period from October–December. However, all people with Medicare can make changes to their coverage from October 15–December 7, and the changes will take effect on January 1.
What can I do?
Drop your Medicare Advantage Plan and enroll in Original Medicare. You’ll have special rights to buy a Medigap policy.
When?
Your chance to drop your Medicare Advantage Plan lasts for 12 months after you join the Medicare Advantage Plan for the first time.
What can I do?
Join a Medicare Chronic Care Special Needs Plan (SNP).
When?
You can join anytime, but once you join, your chance to make changes using this SEP ends.
