General Enrollment Period

What is the Medicare General Enrollment Period?

Medicare’s General Enrollment Period (GEP) allows beneficiaries to enroll in Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B for the first time if they missed their Initial Enrollment Period. The GEP runs from January 1 to March 31.¹Medicare.gov, “When does Medicare coverage start?“, Accessed October 1, 2021

If a beneficiary is enrolled in either Medicare Part A or Part B during their Initial Enrollment Period and didn’t enroll in the other, they can enroll in the other during the GEP²CMS.gov, “Original Medicare (Part A and B) Eligibility and Enrollment“, Accessed October 1, 2021. Medicare coverages enrolled in during the GEP begin July 1st. If the beneficiary does not have special circumstances for delaying coverage, they may suffer Medicare penalties to their monthly premiums.¹Medicare.gov, “When does Medicare coverage start?“, Accessed October 1, 2021

The General Enrollment Period is not the same as the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31), nor is it the same as the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7). These enrollment periods have different purposes and different rules.³Medicare.gov, “Joining a health or drug plan“, Accessed October 1, 2021

The General Enrollment Period does not apply to Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap). Beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B can add, switch, or cancel a Medigap policy at any time. If a beneficiary does not have guaranteed issue rights, medical underwriting may be required.

Citations

• 1
  Medicare.gov, “When does Medicare coverage start?“, Accessed October 1, 2021
• 2
  CMS.gov, “Original Medicare (Part A and B) Eligibility and Enrollment“, Accessed October 1, 2021
• 3
  Medicare.gov, “Joining a health or drug plan“, Accessed October 1, 2021