You can only enroll in Medicare during certain times of the year or when special circumstances allow you to do so. What follows are six important enrollment periods. You may want to review ‘Medicare’ under Services, and my blog ‘Original Medicare Costs for 2023’ first.

Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). This is the first opportunity that you have to enroll in Original Medicare (Parts A and B). Your IEP begins three months before your birthday month; it includes your birthday month; and ends three months after your birthday month. This enrollment period is typically for people turning 65 years of age but may also include beneficiaries who are disabled and under 65. Your IEP and your ICEP (see below) often run together.

Medicare Advantage Initial Coverage Enrollment Period (MA ICEP). This enrollment period is for people newly eligible for Original Medicare and who want to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. Your ICEP begins three months before your birthday month; it includes your birthday month; and ends three months after your birthday month. If your effective date for Part A is different than your effective date for Part B, your ICEP begins three months before the effective date of Part B and ends the last day of the month before Part B begins.

General Enrollment Period (GEP). This the time to enroll in Part A and Part B if you missed your IEP and your ICEP. The General Enrollment Period runs from January 1st to March 31st every year. If you apply for a Medicare Advantage plan, or a separate prescription plan, during this enrollment period, your benefits begin the first month following your application.

Annual Election Period (AEP). This occurs every year from October 15 and December 7. You can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time; change Medicare Advantage plans; or get a separate prescription plan. You can make as many changes as you like. The last change on or before December 7 is the one that’s effective for January 1. You can also enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan.

Open Enrollment Period (MA-OEP). This period occurs every year from January 1 to March 31. It’s for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries. You can change Advantage plans or return to Original Medicare and purchase a separate prescription plan. Once this change takes place, you’re locked into your plan for the rest of the year. You cannot use this enrollment period to 1) switch prescription plans; 2) move from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage; or 3) purchase a prescription plan for the first time because you have Original Medicare.

Special Enrollment Period (SEP). This period is set aside for Medicare beneficiaries who have a qualifying life event. A qualifying life event is a special circumstance in your life that allows you to get a Medicare Advantage plan; a prescription plan; or return to Original Medicare. Examples are 1) moving to a new Medicare Advantage service area; 2) receiving or losing Medicaid; 3) gaining or losing Extra Help; 4) being diagnosed with certain chronic medical conditions; 5) having a five-star Medicare Advantage plan in your service area; and 6) returning to the United States from a foreign country.

*This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency.

For a complete list of enrollment periods, what plans you can enroll in, and the special circumstances which allow you to change, go to www.medicare.gov. Call 725-227-6795, email [email protected] or fill out a contact sheet on this website. I am a licensed insurance broker.

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