Read Up on the Requirements for Enrolling in Medicare
Medicare Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)
Your seven-month Medicare IEP starts three months before your 65th birth month, includes the month of your 65th birthday, and then continues for another three months after your birth month.
During this time, you can enroll in Original Medicare, Parts A and B, and you can add plan C (Medicare Advantage), or a Medicare Supplement plan (Medigap) with a Part D stand-alone drug plan.
Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): October 15 – December 7
From October 15 to December 7 every year, you may enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan or switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
You may also drop your current Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare during this period.
During AEP, you may also join, switch or drop a Medicare Part D plan.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period: January 1 – March 31
If you're already enrolled in a Part C plan, you may switch Medicare Advantage plans or drop your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare during this period which lasts from January 1 to March 31 every year.
If you return to your Original Medicare during this period, you'll also be able to join a Medicare prescription drug plan, Part D.
General Enrollment Period: January 1 – March 31
The General Enrollment Period is for individuals that did not enroll in Parts A or B when they were first eligible or if they lost their part B due to non-payment of their Part B premiums. You can sign up between January 1–March 31 each year. Your coverage starts July 1. You might pay a monthly late enrollment penalty if you don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
Medicare Special Enrollment Periods (SEP)
You may potentially be granted a Medicare Special Enrollment Period (SEP) depending on your specific circumstances. You could qualify for a Medicare SEP at any time of the year.
Metro Valley Insurance can help you find out if you qualify for a Medicare Special Enrollment Period (SEP).