Medicare Enrollment Periods

Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)

Most consumers eligible to enroll in Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) are turning 65 during this enrollment period. It starts 3 months before you turn 65, includes the month you turn 65, and ends 3 months after you turn 65. If you’re not already collecting Social Security benefits before your Initial Enrollment Period starts, you’ll need to sign up for Medicare online or contact  Social Security. Initial Coverage Election Period (ICEP) This is an election period for consumers who are newly eligible for Medicare Part A and Part B who elect a Medicare Advantage plan only.

Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)

This is the annual enrollment period where Medicare plan enrollees can reevaluate their coverage and make changes. This period runs from October 15th to December 7th each year and the changes you make during that time will become effective January 1st. During “AEP”, a beneficiary can switch plans. For example–switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or switch back from a Medicare Advantage plan to Original Medicare, join a Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plan, or switch from one Part D plan to another, or drop your Medicare drug coverage completely.  

Open Enrollment Period (OEP)

 This is a Medicare Advantage open enrollment period where you can sign up between January 1st to March 31st. This is another opportunity if you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, to switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan with or without prescription drug coverage or dis-enroll and return to Original Medicare and if needed, join a Part D plan.

Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Open Enrollment Period

 The enrollment period to buy a Medicare Supplement plan is during the 6 month enrollment period that starts the first day of the month you turn 65, as long as you have signed up for Medicare Part B. If you don’t sign up during this period, you may be subject to medical underwriting questions later.

 General Enrollment Period (GEP)

This period is if you didn’t sign up for Part A and/or Part B during your Initial Enrollment Period. This period runs from  January 1st to March 31st  each year to sign up. Your coverage will not begin until July 1st of that year and you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty. If you have Part A and are enrolling in Part B for the first time during GEP which is January 1st-March 31st, you can also enroll in a MA-Medicare Advantage Plan(with or without drug coverage), between April 1st-June 30th which coverage beginning July 1st.

Special Enrollment Period(SEP) : 

You may also have the chance to sign up for Medicare or change a plan during a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). These are typically reserved for certain life events or special circumstances, such as change of residence, loss/gain of Employer Group Health Plan, loss/gain of LIS status, loss/gain of Medicaid status, plan contract changes with Medicare to name just a few.

5-star SEP : From December 8th to November 30th of each year, you can switch your Medicare Advantage Plan to a Medicare plan that comes available in your area that has 5 stars as its overall quality star rating.

Source: cmshhs.gov