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Enrollment Periods

by David Bynon, last updated

What are the Medicare Enrollment Periods?

Enrollment periods are designated time periods to enroll or disenroll from the various parts of Medicare. There are six Medicare enrollment periods.1Medicare.gov, “When does Medicare coverage start?“, Accessed September 25, 20212Medicare.gov, “Joining a health or drug plan“, Accessed September 25, 2021

Key Takeaways

  • The Initial Enrollment Period is the first opportunity for Medicare beneficiaries to enroll. This enrollment period is based on a beneficiary’s benefit qualification date.
  • A beneficiary’s IEP triggers a 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period. During this period a Medicare supplement policy can be purchased with guaranteed issue.
  • The General Enrollment Period, from January 1-March 31, is available for those who missed their IEP.  Late penalties may apply.
  • The Annual Enrollment Period, from October 15-December 7, is the annual period to join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D plan.
  • The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, from January 1-March 31, allows beneficiaries to make one-time changes to their Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D plan enrollment.
  • Some circumstances, such as a job change or a move, require a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). When given a SEP, a beneficiary can make a change to their Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug coverage.

Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)

The Medicare Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is the first time someone can enroll in a Medicare plan without late penalties. The IEP takes place during a seven-month period around a person’s 65th birthday. During their IEP a person can enroll in Medicare Part A (hospital insurance), Medicare Part B (medical insurance), Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage plan), and Medicare Part D (prescription drug plan).1Medicare.gov, “When does Medicare coverage start?“, Accessed September 25, 2021

For more information on the Medicare Initial Enrollment Period, click here.

Medigap Open Enrollment Period (Medigap OEP)

The Medigap Open Enrollment Period (Medigap OEP) is a six-month period to enroll in Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap) that starts as soon as a beneficiary’s Medicare Part B coverage begins. They can enroll in Medigap plans outside of the Medigap OEP, but they only have the benefit of guaranteed-issue rights when enrolling in a Medigap plan during this one-time enrollment period.3Medicare.gov, “When can I buy Medigap“, Accessed September 25, 2021 Guaranteed-issue rights protect their beneficiary from being denied Medigap coverage or charged extra costs because of their pre-existing health conditions4Medicare.gov, “Guaranteed issue rights“, Accessed September 25, 2021.

For more information on the Medigap Open Enrollment Period, click here.

General Enrollment Period (GEP)

The Medicare General Enrollment Period (GEP) is for enrolling in a Medicare plan if a beneficiary missed their Initial Enrollment Period. The GEP happens every year from January 1 to March 31 for Medicare Part A and Part B. Coverage starts July 1 and beneficiaries may suffer late enrollment penalties for delaying enrollment1Medicare.gov, “When does Medicare coverage start?“, Accessed September 25, 2021.

For more information on the Medicare General Enrollment Period, click here.

Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)

The Medicare Advantage Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is the time for beneficiaries to switch their current Medicare plan to a Medicare Advantage plan or join a Part D prescription drug plan. The AEP takes place from October 15 to December 7 and any changes made go into effect January 1. The AEP is sometimes referred to as the Medicare Fall Open Enrollment Period.2Medicare.gov, “Joining a health or drug plan“, Accessed September 25, 2021

For more information on the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, click here.

Open Enrollment Period (OEP)

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period takes place from January 1 to March 31. The OEP allows current Medicare Advantage plan holders to make a one-time change to their plan. This is so that if a beneficiary enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan they disliked, they aren’t stuck with it for a whole year.2Medicare.gov, “Joining a health or drug plan“, Accessed September 25, 2021

For more information on the Medicare Open Enrollment Period, click here.

Special Enrollment Period (SEP)

Special Enrollment Periods (SEP) are exactly what they sound like; enrollment periods that are available due to special circumstances. Enrolling during a SEP absolves the beneficiary of any late enrollment penalties. These circumstances can be things like moving to a new area, a Medicare Advantage plan becoming unavailable through Medicare, or the beneficiary losing the employer coverage that they delayed Medicare enrollment for.5Medicare.gov, “Special circumstances (Special Enrollment Periods)“, Accessed September 25, 2021

For more information on Medicare Special Enrollment Periods, click here.

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