Initial Enrollment Period IEP
7 months around your 65th birthday
- What you can do
- Sign up for Parts A and B, and choose a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan for the first time.
- Who it's for
- Everyone becoming eligible for Medicare at 65.
Medicare enrollment periods and deadlines
Medicare only lets you sign up or switch at certain times. Here is every window, when it opens and what you can change.
The Medicare calendar at a glance
Windows that repeat every year. Your IEP, Medigap and special periods depend on your own dates.
Swipe sideways to see all 12 months
PeriodJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
AEPOctober 15 - December 7Jan: closedFeb: closedMar: closedApr: closedMay: closedJun: closedJul: closedAug: closedSep: closedOct: openNov: openDec: open
MA OEPJanuary 1 - March 31Jan: openFeb: openMar: openApr: closedMay: closedJun: closedJul: closedAug: closedSep: closedOct: closedNov: closedDec: closed
GEPJanuary 1 - March 31Jan: openFeb: openMar: openApr: closedMay: closedJun: closedJul: closedAug: closedSep: closedOct: closedNov: closedDec: closed
The Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 to December 7, so October and December are only partly open.
Every enrollment period explained
Annual Enrollment Period AEP
October 15 - December 7
- What you can do
- Switch Advantage plans, go back to Original Medicare, or join, drop or change a Part D plan. Changes start January 1.
- Who it's for
- Everyone with Medicare.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment MA OEP
January 1 - March 31
- What you can do
- Make one change: switch to another Advantage plan, or return to Original Medicare and add Part D.
- Who it's for
- People already enrolled in Medicare Advantage.
General Enrollment Period GEP
January 1 - March 31
- What you can do
- Sign up for Part A or Part B if you missed your IEP. Coverage starts the month after you enroll, and penalties may apply.
- Who it's for
- People who missed their first chance to enroll.
Medigap Open Enrollment Period Medigap OEP
6 months from your Part B start
- What you can do
- Buy any Medicare Supplement sold in Florida with no health questions and no higher price for health conditions.
- Who it's for
- People 65 and older enrolling in Part B.
Special Enrollment Periods SEP
Triggered by life events
- What you can do
- Change plans or enroll outside the normal windows after a move, losing employer coverage, qualifying for Medicaid or Extra Help, and more.
- Who it's for
- People with a qualifying life event.
Common reasons you may get a Special Enrollment Period
Life changes can open a window outside the usual dates. Deadlines are short, so call us as soon as something changes.
- You move out of your plan's service area, or into a new one
- You lose employer or union group coverage, or stop working
- You qualify for Medicaid, Extra Help or a Medicare Savings Program
- You move into or out of a nursing home or assisted living facility
- Your plan leaves Medicare or stops serving your county
- You return to the U.S. after living abroad
Not sure which window applies?
Tell us what changed and we will tell you exactly when you can enroll or switch, free of charge.
Licensed agents. TTY 711. Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 9am-2pm ET.
