What is Open Enrollment?

Medicare annual enrollment period (AEP) occurs from October 15 to December 7 when you can make changes to your Medicare or Medicare Advantage plan.

What changes can I make during Medicare
annual enrollment?

From October 15 through December 7, you can join, switch or drop your original Medicare, Medicare Advantage and prescription drug coverage plans. Any changes you make take effect on January 1 the following year. Examples of changes include:

• Switching from original Medicare (parts A and B) to a Medicare Advantage plan (part C)
• Reverting from a Medicare Advantage plan back to original Medicare
• Enrolling in a Medicare drug coverage plan (part D) for the first time or dropping or switching your current plan

What are the other enrollment periods?

Besides Medicare annual enrollment, there are three major enrollment periods:

• Initial enrollment period (IEP)
  

  If you are applying for Medicare for the first time, your IEP is the seven-month period around the month of your 65th birthday – three months before the month in which you were born, the month of your birthday, and the three months after.

• Special enrollment period (SEP)
  If you experience a qualifying life event, you may be eligible to make changes to your Medicare plan outside of the designated open enrollment periods. For example, when you lose your current coverage, move to a new coverage area, or move into or out of a skilled nursing facility, long-term care or similar facility.
• Medicare Advantage open enrollment period
  

  There is a separate open enrollment period just for Medicare Advantage from January 1 through March 31. During this period, you can only switch between Advantage plans or end your Advantage coverage and return to original Medicare.

Can I enroll in Medicare for the first time during open enrollment?

First-time Medicare applicants generally enroll during their IEP, the seven-month window around the month of their 65th birthday. If you missed your IEP, you may still enroll in Medicare – either during a SEP or the Medicare Advantage open enrollment period from January 1 to March 31. However, you may be subject to penalties.

Should I make any changes to my current Medicare plan?

Even if you’re satisfied with your Medicare coverage, we recommend that you take a few moments to give your current plan a checkup to ensure that your plan meets your needs. Additionally, it’s important to make note of what changes will be made to your plan the following year.

For more information, visit “What should I consider during open enrollment?”.