Enrollment Periods

Enrollment Periods for Current Medicare Beneficiaries

Annual Election Period: November 15 to December 31

Each year during this time, you can enroll in a new Medicare Advantage health plan or a standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan for coverage beginning on January 1 of the following year.

Open Enrollment Period: January 1 to March 31

If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan or a standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, you may change to a different plan during this time. The chart below explains what kind of changes you are allowed to make during the open enrollment period.

Enrollment Periods for New Medicare Beneficiaries

Initial Coverage Election Period

When you become eligible for Medicare because of your age or a disability, you have seven months to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan with or without drug coverage or a standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug Plan. You may enroll at any time during the month you are eligible and in the three months before and after. If you receive Medicare due to a disability, you can join during the three months after your 25th month of disability benefits. If you do not choose to enroll in a plan with prescription drug coverage during this time period, you may have to pay a penalty in the form of a higher premium to enroll later.

Open Enrollment Period

If you are enrolled in Medicare, Medicare Advantage or a standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan during your Initial Coverage Election Period, you may make one change to a different plan during the Open Enrollment Period for newly eligible individuals. This period begins on the first day of the month you become entitled to both Medicare Parts A and B and ends on the last day of the third month you are entitled to Medicare or December 31 of the same year, whichever comes first.

Limitations on Enrollment Periods

Once your Open Enrollment Period ends, you may not change your coverage until the next Annual Coordinated Election Period, unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

Special Enrollment Periods

After you have enrolled in a plan, you may become eligible for a Special Enrollment Period for one of the following reasons:

• You move out of your plan’s service area.
• Your plan does not renew its Medicare Advantage contract.
• Your plan’s Medicare contract ends or it is no longer offered in your area.

Please call 1-800-841-7434 (or for the hearing impaired TTY/TDD: 1-888-423-9490) 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET seven days a week for more information.

From March 1 to September 30, you may be required to leave a voice mail on weekends and holidays. Calls will be returned within one business day.