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Medicare Advantage Enrollment Periods
Medicare Advantage plans have specific enrollment periods during which you can sign up, switch plans, or make changes to your coverage.


Medicare Advantage Enrollment Windows


Initial Enrollment Period (IEP):

When: 7-month time frame.

Details: This period starts 3 months before the month you turn 65, includes your birth month, and extends 3 months after. It’s your first opportunity to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan when you start Medicare Part B.

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Annual Election Period (AEP):

When: October 15 – December 7.

Details: This is the primary time each year when most enrollees can change their Medicare Advantage plan for the following calendar year. Plans are announced on October 1, but you can’t enroll until October 15. Changes made during this period will take effect on January 1 of the next year. Switching plans is simple; submitting a new enrollment application will automatically replace your current plan.

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  • You can enroll, switch, or drop a Part D plan.

  • You can switch Medicare Advantage plans.

  • You can switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan.

  • You can switch from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare. If you switch back to Original Medicare, you may still be subject to underwriting if you apply for a Medigap plan after switching back.

 

Open Enrollment Period (OEP):

When: January 1 – March 31.

Details: During this time, current Medicare Advantage enrollees can:

  • Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan.

  • Drop their Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare.

  • Enroll in a Medigap plan and a Part D prescription drug plan.

 

Any changes made during this period will start on the first day of the following month.
 

 

Special Election Periods (SEPs)
Special Election Periods allow you to make changes to your Medicare Advantage plan outside the regular enrollment windows. Common SEPs include:

Moving Out of Plan Service Area:
If you move out of your current plan’s service area, you qualify for an SEP to enroll in a new Medicare Advantage plan that covers your new location.
 

Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) or “Extra Help”:
If you qualify for the Low-Income Subsidy program, which helps cover Part D premiums and co-pays, you also get an SEP. With LIS, you can change your Medicare Advantage plan once per quarter during the first three quarters of the year (January-March, April-June, July-September).

 

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