Medicare Advantage Plans Enrollment Periods
To sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan, you must first be enrolled in Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B).
The timeframe for enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan is called an enrollment period. You have three enrollment periods during which you can choose or switch plans each calendar year.
Initial Enrollment Period (New to Medicare)
You can join a Medicare Advantage Plan when you first become eligible for Original Medicare; this is your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). This enrollment period starts three months before you get your Original Medicare and ends three months after.
If you request to join a plan before your Original Medicare starts, your Medicare Advantage plan coverage will start the same day as your Original Medicare starts.
If you request to join a plan after your Medicare starts, your coverage starts the first of the month after the plan gets your request.
Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)
While the name indicates you can sign up for Original Medicare during this period, the Annual Enrollment Period is a time for beneficiaries to make changes to their current coverage. Someone may want to change their coverage because their needs change or because their current plan increases costs or changes the benefits offered. During the period from October 15 to December 7, you can:
- Change from a Medicare Advantage Plan to Original Medicare or vice versa
- Change to a different Medicare Advantage plan
- Change your Part D prescription plan
- Enroll in or drop a Part D plan
The Medicare Advantage plan you choose will be effective on January 1. If you do not wish to change your current plan, your existing coverage will continue into the next year without needing to inform Medicare.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP)
If enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can make changes during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, which runs from January 1 to March 31 of each year.
During this period, you can:
- Switch to another Medicare Advantage plan, with or without drug coverage
- Drop a Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare, including adding Medicare Part D benefits
During this period, you cannot:
- Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan
- Join or switch from one drug plan to another drug plan if you’re in the Original Medicare
If you do not wish to change your current plan, your existing coverage will continue into the next year without needing to inform Medicare.
Special Enrollment Period (SEP)
Some beneficiaries qualify to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan during a Special Enrollment Period. There are no set dates for a Special Enrollment Period. Instead, dates will vary based on your circumstances. Two kinds of Medicare Special Enrollment Periods allow you to sign up or switch plans outside the standard enrollment periods. These are:
- SEP for Qualifying Life Events
- SEP for Working Past 65
For beneficiaries who have Original Medicare but experience a qualifying life event, there is a 2-month window for switching to a Medicare Advantage or Part D drug plan. Some of the qualifying life events include:
- You move to a new address outside your plan’s service area
- You change jobs
- You or your spouse loses your current health insurance coverage
- You qualify for extra help from the government
- You become eligible for Medicaid
- Your current plan changes its contract with Medicare.
Frequently Asked Questions
The IEP is 7 months long: it starts 3 months before your 65th birthday , includes your birthday month, and ends 3 months after. Coverage usually begins the first day of the month after you enroll.
No, you can’t enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan at just any time, but many people qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if they’re moving , turning 65, have both Medicare and Medicaid, or receive Extra Help. Everyone can also make changes during the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct 15–Dec 7).
Open Enrollment Period:
You can disenroll from your current Medicare Advantage plan and switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan one time only during this period. You can also return to Original Medicare and add or drop Part D coverage.
Annual Enrollment Period:
During AEP, you can change your Medicare health plans and prescription drug coverage for the following year to better meet your needs. Enrollment will become effective January 1st.
SEPs occur if you are new to Medicare, move, lose coverage, have both Medicare and Medicaid, live in or leave a long-term care facility or your plan ends. These allow you to join, drop, or switch plans outside normal timeframes. Elderplan can help you determine if you are eligible for SEP.
Yes, but many delay Part B (Medical Insurance) while covered through work. Once employer coverage ends, you have an 8-month Special Enrollment Period to sign up.
Missing deadlines can cause gaps in coverage and penalties, such as higher Part B premium or Part D late enrollment penalty that may last for life.
Many do, but not all. Some plans require a separate Part D drug plan. Be sure to check before enrolling. All of the plans offered by Elderplan include prescription drug coverage.
You’ll qualify for a Special Enrollment Period to pick a new plan where you live or return to Original Medicare.
Compare plans early. Review premiums, provider networks, drug coverage, and maximum out-of-pocket costs to choose the plan that best fits your needs. Schedule and appointment with an Elderplan Benefit Advisor to compare your benefits.
Want to learn more about enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan with Elderplan? Our Benefits Advisors can help.
