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  • Medicare Enrollment Dates
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    6 Key Medicare Enrollment 
    Dates You Should Know

    Whether you’re approaching 65, getting ready to retire, or want to switch Medicare plans, there are six specific dates and timeframes you’ll need to know. To view a specific enrollment period, click on the appropriate link:

    • Initial Enrollment Period
    • Medigap Open Enrollment Period
    • General Enrollment Period
    • Annual Enrollment Period
    • Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period
    • Special Enrollment Period

    We’ve explained the Medicare enrollment dates below to make it easier for you to figure out what you need to do and when to do it.

    1. Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)

    This enrollment period revolves around your 65th birthday, which is the first time you’re eligible to enroll in Medicare. IEP starts three months BEFORE you turn 65, includes your birthday month, and ends three months AFTER you turn 65.

    Initial enrollment period timeline that demonstrates Months 1 to 3, Month 4 turning 65, and Months 5 to 7 as when to enroll in Medicare

    During this seventh-month period, you can enroll in Original Medicare (Parts A and B), a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) or a stand-alone Prescription Drug plan (Part D).

    You’ll probably receive a lot of information from different Medicare providers during IEP, including us. Our free guidebook is a great resource to help you understand your Medicare options.

    2. Medigap Open Enrollment Period

    Once you’ve signed up for Original Medicare, you can enroll in a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plan to help with the costs not covered by Original Medicare. The best time to enroll in this plan type is during the Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which begins as soon as your Part B coverage starts and lasts six months.

    What Happens If I Miss This Enrollment Period?

    You may still be able to purchase a Medigap plan after the enrollment date; however, the costs may be higher, and your policy options might be limited. At Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, we allow you to purchase a Medigap plan at any time of the year.

    3. General Enrollment Period (GEP)

    If you missed IEP, don’t worry. You can also sign up for Original Medicare during the General Enrollment Period (GEP), which lasts from January 1 through March 31 each year.

    General enrollment period timeline that demonstrates January 1st to March 31st is the typical time to enroll in Medicare

    4. Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)

    This enrollment period happens every year from October 15 to December 7. It’s a chance to ensure your Medicare plan still meets your needs and review other coverage options.

    During AEP, you can:

    • Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan
    • Change Medicare Advantage plans
    • Add or drop a Prescription Drug plan (Part D)
    Annual enrollment period timeline that demonstrates October 15th to December 7th as the annual enrollment period for Medicare

    5. Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP)

    While the Annual Enrollment Period is for anyone that is Medicare-eligible, this enrollment period is only for people already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. It takes place from January 1 through March 31 each year and is an opportunity to switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or disenroll from a Medicare Advantage plan and move to Original Medicare. You can only make one policy change during this period.

    Medicare Advantage open enrollment period timeline that demonstrates January 1st to March 31st as the Medicare Advantage open enrollment period

    6. Special Enrollment Period (SEP)

    Life is unpredictable, and sometimes events occur that impact your Medicare coverage. You may qualify for a special enrollment period (SEP) under certain circumstances. The SEP allows you to change to your Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug plan outside the other enrollment dates. The circumstances for SEPs can be categorized into two categories:

    • Special Enrollment Period for Qualifying Life Events
    • Special Enrollment Period for Working Past 65

    Special Enrollment Period for Qualifying Life Events

    If you have Medicare and experience a qualifying life event, you may qualify for a 2-month period when you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug plan. Some of these qualifying life events include:

    • You move out of your current plan’s network area
    • Your plan stops serving your area, reduces its network, or consistently receives low Star-Ratings.
    • You move into a nursing home or long-term care facility

    There are many other qualifying events. You can find a complete list here.

    Special Enrollment Period for Working Past 65

    If you’ve worked past 65 and qualified to delay Medicare enrollment, there is a 2-month period— beginning when your employer coverage ends — when you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug plan without penalty. If you are only enrolling in Original Medicare (Parts A and B), you have eight months.

    Special enrollment period timeline that demonstrates qualifying life event 8-month period and working past 65 two-month time period

    Regardless of your situation, your coverage starts the month after you sign up during your SEP.

    A person with half of their hair pulled back smiling

    Review Your Medicare Coverage Options

    Your health needs change constantly. We recommend reviewing your coverage options from time to time. If you need to change your plan, now you know which Medicare enrollment dates you can switch or add coverage.

    Have More Questions About Medicare Enrollment Dates?

    Talk to an Expert

    Call us at 1-888-995-2583 (TTY: 711) between 8:00a.m. and 8:00p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.

    Call 1-888-995-2583

    Attend a Medicare Seminar

    Join us for an in-person or online seminar to learn more about Medicare and our plan options.

    Register Now

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    Set up a time to have a Medicare expert call you and discuss your questions and options.

    Schedule a Call

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      Y0014_24100_M_2025 | S2893_2432_2025 | Last Updated: 10/01/2024