Enrollment Periods

Navigating Medicare enrollment periods can be challenging, as there are several windows and special circumstances to consider. The Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is your first opportunity to sign up for Medicare, while the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) allows you to make changes to your coverage each year. Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) offer flexibility for certain life events, but understanding when they apply can be confusing. With different rules and deadlines for each period, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Learn more about the Medicare Enrollment periods in the sections below:

Initial Enrollment Period

(IEP)

The Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is the first opportunity for individuals to sign up for Original Medicare. You will have a seven month window to enroll during your IEP - three months before the month you turn 65, the month that you turn 65, and three months after the month you turn 65. During this enrollment period you will be able to do the following:

1) Enroll in Original Medicare - Part A and B

2) Enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan - Part C

3) Enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan - Part D

It is advisable to sign up for Medicare Parts A, B and D when you're first eligible to avoid penalties that can result in higher premiums!

General Enrollment Period

(GEP)

The General Enrollment Period (GEP) is another opportunity for individuals to enroll in Part A and B that didn't when they were first eligible. This enrollment period is from January 1st to March 31st and coverage will start on July 1st. During this time you will be able to do the following:

1) Enroll in Original Medicare if you didn't sign up when you were first eligible.

2) Enroll in Original Medicare if you weren't eligible for a Special Enrollment period.

Open Enrollment Period (Med Supp)

(OEP)

The Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period (OEP) is a six-month window that begins on the first day of the month you turn 65 as long as you have signed up for Medicare Part B. During this period you will be able to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan regardless of your health status or pre-existing conditions. This is the best time to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan because you have guaranteed issue rights which means you will not be denied coverage.

Annual Enrollment Period

(AEP)

The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is the enrollment period for beneficiaries that are currently enrolled in Original Medicare. If not enrolled in Original Medicare, you must wait until the General Enrollment period to sign up for Original Medicare. This enrollment period is from October 15th to December 7th and coverage will start on January 1st. During this enrollment period you will be able to do the following:

1) Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan

2) Switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare and add a Medicare Part D and a Medigap pan

3) Switch from one Medicare Part D plan to another

4) Enroll in or drop a Medicare Part D plan

5) Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another

Open Enrollment Period (Medicare Advantage)

(OEP)

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP) is the enrollment period for beneficiaries that are currently enrolled in Original Medicare. This enrollment period is from January 1st to March 31st and coverage will start on the first day of the month following the month you make a change. During this time you will be able to do the following:

1) If you are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plan you can make a one-time election to switch to a different Medicare Advantage Plan

2) You can switch back to Original Medicare and enroll in a Part D plan

3) Dependent upon circumstances, access to a Medicare Supplement plan during this enrollment period may require medical underwriting

Note: Enrolling in Original Medicare for the first time is not available during this enrollment period

Special Enrollment Period

(SEP)

The Special Enrollment Period (SEP) is a enrollment period outside the basic
enrollment periods. The following list below are an example of some life changing circumstances that may allow for changes during the Special Enrollment Periods:

1) Moving back to the U.S. after living abroad: You can join a Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Part D within two months of moving back.

2) Moving out of your plan’s service area: You can switch to a new Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Part D plan. The special enrollment period would begin either the month before your move or the month that you tell your plan you are moving, whichever is later. Then, your special enrollment period would last an additional two full months.

3) Moving in or out of a skilled nursing facility, long-term care facility, rehab hospital, or psychiatric facility: You can make a variety of changes to your coverage for this event, including joining, switching, or dropping plans. This opportunity lasts for as long as you are in the institution and 2 full additional months after you leave.

4) The end of your employment or an employer sponsored plan: You can join a Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Part D plan for two months after your employer-provided coverage ends.

Note: These are not the only circumstances for an Special Enrollment Period. For more information please reach out to a Licensed Benefit Advisor

Financial Assistance

(SEP)

For individuals that qualify for financial assistance for Medicare, through programs such as Medicaid, Low-Income Subsidy (LIS), or Medicare Savings Programs (MSP) you may be eligible to switch plans outside the typical enrollment periods. You can sign up once per calendar quarter during the first nine months of the year. Your coverage will start the first day of the month after you switch plans. Individuals may also be able to switch to a 5-star Medicare Advantage plan or a 5-star Medicare prescription drug plan once a year.

Need assistance? Contact us to speak to a Licensed Insurance Agent?

Seniority Insurance Group, LLC is a non-government entity, a health insurance agency. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 7 organizations which offer 40 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options. We represent Medicare Advantage [HMO, PPO, and PFFS] organizations and stand-alone PDP prescription drug plans that have a Medicare contract. Enrollment depends on the plan’s contract renewal. Extra benefits require enrollment in an MA plan and depend on whether you are eligible to enroll in an MA plan in your area. Benefits are available only in select areas.

Medicare Supplement insurance is available to those age 65 and older enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B and, in some states, to those under age 65 eligible for Medicare due to disability or End-Stage Renal disease.

The purpose of this communication is the solicitation of Insurance. Contact will be made by an insurance agent/producer of insurance company.

Medicare Supplement insurance plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.

Enrollment Periods