Moving
Moving to a new address or outside your plan's service area may create a Special Enrollment Period.
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MEDICARE ENROLLMENT PERIODS
Know Your Window. Don't Miss Your Moment.
Medicare has several enrollment periods, and each one serves a different purpose. The right window depends on your age, current coverage and what's happening in your life.
We'll help you understand when you can enroll, when you can make changes and which deadlines actually apply to you.
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Turning 65 Guidance
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Annual Plan Reviews
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Special Enrollment Help
MEDICARE CALENDAR
2027
YOUR TIMING MATTERS
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Turning 65, changing plans or experiencing a life event?
OCT 15
Open Enrollment Begins
JAN 1
MA OEP & GEP Begin
65
Your IEP Surrounds Your Birthday
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START WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING TO YOU
Which Enrollment Period Sounds Like Your Situation?
You don't need to memorize Medicare's alphabet soup. Start with your situation and we'll point you toward the enrollment window that may apply.
I'm Turning 65
Initial Enrollment Period
IEP →
I Want to Review My Plan
Fall Medicare Open Enrollment
AEP →
I'm Already in Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment
OEP →
Something Changed in My Life
Special Enrollment Period
SEP →
I Missed Medicare Enrollment
General Enrollment Period
GEP →
I'm Starting Part B at 65+
Medigap Open Enrollment
MEDIGAP →
65
IEP
YOUR FIRST MEDICARE ENROLLMENT WINDOW
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)
Your Initial Enrollment Period is generally your first chance to sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B. For most people, it is a seven-month window surrounding the month they turn 65.
MONTHS 1–3
3 Months Before
Your enrollment window generally opens three months before the month you turn 65.
MONTH 4
Your Birthday Month
This is the month you generally become eligible for Medicare based on age.
MONTHS 5–7
3 Months After
Your Initial Enrollment Period generally continues for three months after your birthday month.
What You Can Do
- Sign up for Medicare Part A and/or Part B
- Explore Medicare Advantage coverage
- Consider Part D prescription coverage
- Review Medicare Supplement options if choosing Original Medicare
When Coverage Starts
If you sign up for Part B before the month you turn 65, coverage generally begins the month you turn 65. If you enroll during your birthday month or during the following three months, Part B generally begins the next month.
Birthday on the first of the month?
Medicare uses special timing rules that can shift your Initial
Enrollment Period earlier. We can help you confirm your dates.
10/15
AEP
ANNUAL MEDICARE REVIEW WINDOW
Medicare Open Enrollment October 15 – December 7
Often called the Annual Election Period, this is the major fall enrollment window when people with Medicare can review their health and drug coverage and make changes for the next year.
OCTOBER 15
Open Enrollment Begins
You can begin making eligible Medicare health and drug plan changes.
DECEMBER 7
Enrollment Ends
The plan generally must receive your enrollment request by December 7.
JANUARY 1
New Coverage Begins
Changes made during this enrollment period generally take effect January 1.
What You Can Change
- Switch Medicare Advantage plans
- Move from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage
- Leave Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare
- Join, drop or switch eligible Medicare drug coverage
Why an Annual Review Matters
Premiums, copays, formularies, drug tiers, provider participation and plan benefits can change. Your own doctors, prescriptions and healthcare needs can change too.
Don't assume this year's Medicare plan is automatically the best choice for next year.
REVIEW MY MEDICARE COVERAGE →
1/1
MA OEP
FOR PEOPLE ALREADY IN MEDICARE ADVANTAGE
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period
From January 1 through March 31, people already enrolled in Medicare Advantage generally have a limited opportunity to make one change.
JANUARY 1
OEP Begins
The annual Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period begins.
MARCH 31
OEP Ends
Eligible changes generally must be made by the end of March.
AFTER YOUR REQUEST
New Coverage Begins
Your new coverage generally begins the first day of the month after the plan receives your request.
What You Can Generally Do
- Switch to another Medicare Advantage plan
- Leave Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare
- Join a separate Medicare drug plan when returning to Original Medicare
Who This Period Is For
This enrollment period is specifically for people who are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. It is not the same as fall Medicare Open Enrollment.
SEP
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LIFE EVENT ENROLLMENT WINDOWS
Special Enrollment Periods
Certain life events and changes in coverage may create an opportunity to enroll in or change Medicare coverage outside the usual annual enrollment windows.
Losing Employer Coverage
Losing qualifying employer or union coverage may create a limited opportunity to enroll in Medicare.
Medicaid Changes
Gaining, losing or experiencing changes in Medicaid eligibility can affect your Medicare enrollment options.
Entering or Leaving a Facility
Moving into or out of certain institutional settings may create additional Medicare enrollment opportunities.
Plan or Contract Changes
Certain Medicare plan terminations, contract changes or service area issues may trigger special enrollment rights.
Medicaid or Extra Help Eligibility
Certain changes involving Medicaid or Extra Help can create additional opportunities to change Medicare drug or health coverage.
Special Enrollment timing isn't one-size-fits-all.
The length of the enrollment period and the changes you're
allowed to make depend on the event that created the SEP.
That's why it's important to review your options promptly.
1/1
GEP
MISSED MEDICARE ENROLLMENT?
General Enrollment Period (GEP)
The General Enrollment Period gives certain people who missed their earlier opportunity another chance to enroll in Medicare Part B and, when applicable, premium Part A.
JANUARY 1
GEP Begins
The General Enrollment Period opens at the beginning of the year.
MARCH 31
GEP Ends
Enrollment requests generally must be made by March 31.
COVERAGE START
Following Month
Coverage generally begins the month after you sign up.
Who May Need the GEP?
- Someone who missed their Initial Enrollment Period
- Someone who delayed Medicare without a qualifying SEP
- Someone who still needs to enroll in Part B or premium Part A
Late Enrollment Penalties May Apply
Depending on your circumstances, delaying Medicare enrollment may result in a Part B or Part A late enrollment penalty. It's worth confirming whether you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period before assuming the GEP is your only option.
6 MO
MG
MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT ENROLLMENT WINDOW
Medigap Open Enrollment Period
Federal Medigap Open Enrollment is a one-time six-month period that begins the first month you're age 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B.
START
Age 65+ and Part B
The federal six-month window begins once both conditions are met.
SIX MONTHS
Strongest Federal Protections
During this period, insurers generally can't deny a Medigap policy because of pre-existing health conditions.
AFTERWARD
Underwriting May Apply
Outside protected enrollment or guaranteed-issue situations, choices may be more limited or medical underwriting may apply.
Medigap Open Enrollment is different from Medicare's annual fall Open Enrollment.
Your federal Medigap window is tied to your age and Part B
effective date. It does not repeat every year.
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THE BIG PICTURE
Your Medicare Enrollment Calendar
Different enrollment windows solve different problems. This overview can help you remember which periods happen annually and which depend on your personal circumstances.
IEP
Turning 65
3 MONTHS BEFORE
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BIRTHDAY MONTH
•
3 MONTHS AFTER
GEP
Missed Enrollment
JAN 1 → MAR 31
MA OEP
Already in MA
JAN 1 → MAR 31
AEP
Annual Review
OCT 15 → DEC 7
SEP
Life Event
TIMING VARIES BY QUALIFYING EVENT
MEDIGAP
Age 65+ + Part B
SIX-MONTH FEDERAL WINDOW
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COMPLIMENTARY 2027 MEDICARE GUIDE
Want the Big Picture?
Enrollment periods determine when you can start Medicare or make certain coverage changes. See how those deadlines fit alongside Medicare Advantage, Medigap, Part D and your other Medicare choices.
Our complimentary Understanding Medicare — 2027 Edition guide walks you through Medicare in clear, straightforward language.
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Enrollment Periods Explained
Understand the important Medicare windows.
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Coverage Options Compared
See how the major Medicare choices fit together.
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Helpful Checklists
Practical information for making Medicare decisions.
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DON'T LET THE CALENDAR DECIDE FOR YOU
Not Sure Which Enrollment Period Applies to You?
Tell us what's happening — turning 65, losing employer coverage, moving, reviewing your plan or simply realizing you may have missed a Medicare deadline.
We'll help you understand which enrollment window may apply and what your next step should be.
No cost. No obligation. Just clear Medicare guidance.
WE CAN HELP WITH
65
Turning 65 & Initial Enrollment
10/15
Annual Medicare Reviews
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Special Enrollment Situations
6 MO
Medigap Enrollment Timing
We may not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.