Medicare Enrollment Period: Get Covered without Penalties
Understanding Medicare enrollment processes can be hectic, especially for people enrolling for the first time. Knowing the Medicare enrollment periods is vital to avoid late fees, delays in coverage, and missing benefits.
What is Medicare?
Medicare is a federal health insurance program primarily for people age 65 and older, as well as certain younger people with disabilities or End-Stage Renal Disease.
Important Enrollment Dates
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)
Starts three months before your 65th birthday, includes your birthday month, and continues for three months after, totaling seven months.
- Apply for Medicare Part A and Part B
- Sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan
- Start a Medicare Part D drug plan
General Enrollment Period (GEP)
Runs January 1 through March 31 each year for people who missed their Initial Enrollment Period and do not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
Special Enrollment Period (SEP)
A Special Enrollment Period is triggered by specific life changes such as losing employer coverage, moving, or becoming eligible for Medicaid.
Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)
October 15 through December 7 every year. During this period, Medicare enrollees can switch, enroll in, or leave Medicare Advantage and Part D plans.
How To Take Care Of Medicare Enrollment
- Start early
- Use the Medicare Plan Finder
- Seek help from licensed Medicare consultants
- Maintain enrollment documentation
- Review Annual Notice of Change letters
You may have to wait for the General Enrollment Period and could incur lifetime late enrollment penalties for Part B.