Medicare Enrollment
There are specific times when you can sign up for Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) or Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D) or make changes to coverage you already have. And one-time you can enroll in Medicare Supplement Plans on a guaranteed-issue basis. Find more information about these programs and their enrollment periods below.
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Enrollment Periods for Medicare Advantage Plans and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans
When you decide how to get your Medicare coverage you might choose a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) and/or Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D).
There are specific times when you can sign up for these plans or make changes to coverage you already have.
You don’t need to sign up for Medicare each year. However, each year you’ll have a chance to review your coverage and change plans.
When you first get Medicare (Initial Enrollment Periods for Part C & Part D)
I’m newly eligible for Medicare because I turned 65
What can I do?
Sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan and/or a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
When?
During the 7-month period that:
- Starts 3 months before the month you turn 65
- Includes the month you turn 65
- Ends 3 months after the month you turn 65
| If you join: | Your coverage begins: |
|---|---|
| During one of the 3 months before you turn 65 | The first day of the month you turn 65 |
| During the month you turn 65 | The first day of the month after you ask to join the plan |
| During one of the 3 months after you turn 65 | The first day of the month after you ask to join the plan |
During certain times each year (yearly enrollment periods for Part C & Part D)
Each year, you can make changes to your Medicare Advantage or Medicare prescription drug coverage for the following year. There are 3 separate enrollment periods each year:
Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) for Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug coverage
What can I do?
- Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan.
- Change from a Medicare Advantage Plan back to Original Medicare.
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan.
- Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn’t offer drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage.
- Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn’t offer drug coverage.
- Join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
- Switch from one Medicare drug plan to another Medicare drug plan.
- Drop your Medicare prescription drug coverage completely.
When?
October 15–December 7
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period
What can I do?
- If you’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage), you can switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage).
- You can disenroll from your Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare. If you choose to do so, you’ll be able to join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
- If you enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan during your Initial Enrollment Period, you can change to another Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage) or go back to Original Medicare (with or without drug coverage) within the first 3 months you have Medicare.
What can’t I do?
- Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan.
- Join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan if you’re in Original Medicare.
- Switch from one Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to another if you’re in Original Medicare.
When?
January 1–March 31
Special Enrollment Period (SEP)
A period of time when you can change your plan due to a life changing event, such as; relocating, coming off an employer sponsored group plan or union plan, becoming disabled, receiving or losing extra help on your prescriptions, qualifying for Medicaid, entering a nursing home for long-term care.
Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period
Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment is a one-time window during which you can enroll in any Medicare Supplement. You will not have to answer any medical questions. The Medicare Supplement insurance companies cannot turn you down during your personal open enrollment period.
However, this period lasts for only 6 months, so be sure not to miss it unless you have other creditable coverage. It's not the same as the open enrollment period that happens each fall, which is a common source of confusion.
Facts about the Open Enrollment Period for Medicare Supplement Plans
- Only occurs once for most people. It is not annual.
- Lasts for six months and then it is gone
- Once it’s gone, you must answer health questions to change plans in most states (except for WA where you can change anytime, and Oregon, you can change for the 30-day period after your birthday each year.)
- People on Medicare under age 65 will get a rare second open enrollment for Medicare supplement later when they turn 65
How Long is my Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment?
Your Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment lasts for only 6 months
Your personal Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment period begins on the first day that your Part B becomes effective. If your Medicare Part A and Part B coverage start on June 1st, then your personal enrollment period lasts for exactly 6 months and ends on November 30th.
For most people this occurs at age 65 when they age into Medicare. However, some people delay enrollment into Part B while they are still working. Later when they retire and enroll in Part B, they will activate their Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment.
Ready to Enroll in a Medicare plan? Click the link below to get started
Different parts of Medicare help cover specific services:
Medicare Part A
(Hospital Insurance)
Part A covers:
- Inpatient hospital stays
- Care in a skilled nursing facility
- Hospice care
- Some home health care.
For a hospital stay, after you pay a deductible of $1,676 per admission for 2025, it covers the cost of your semi-private room. This covers you for days 1 thru 60. Copays apply after that.
The cost of Part A for most people at age 65 is $0. This is because during your working years you have paid taxes to pre-fund the premiums for your hospital benefits. If you don’t automatically qualify for premium-free coverage, most individuals can still apply for it. For 2025 the cost is $518 per month.
Medicare Part B
(Medical Insurance)
Part B covers:
- Certain doctors’ services
- Outpatient care
- Medical supplies
- Preventive services
Part B has an annual deductible of $257 for 2025. After that you will pay a 20% coinsurance for all Medicare approved services. Medicare Part B has No Out of Pocket Maximum.
Part B has a monthly premium. The cost of Part B is set by Social Security and it changes from year to year. For 2025 the standard cost is $185.00 per month. You may pay a higher or lower premium based on your adjusted gross income reported to the IRS in recent years.
Medicare Advantage, also known as Part C:
- “All in One” alternative to Original Medicare
- “Bundled” plans that include Part A, Part B, and usually Part D
- Offered by private insurance companies
- Must give you at least the same coverage as Original Medicare
- Part C is voluntary
Medicare Advantage Plans can include extra benefits such as:
- Routine vision exam and hardware
- Routine hearing exams and hearing aids
- Fitness programs
- OTC benefits
Medicare Part D adds prescription drug coverage to Original Medicare. Medicare Part D is a federal program administered through private insurance companies. Medicare Advantage Plans may also offer prescription drug coverage that follows the same rules as Medicare Prescription Drug Plans.
It covers retail prescription drugs that you pick up yourself at the pharmacy or order via mail order. You choose a carrier and enroll in their drug plan, and that’s how you sign up for Part D drug plan. Most states have about 30 drug plans to choose from, and the best way to determine which one is the right fit for you is to have your agent run a Part D analysis using Medicare’s prescription drug finder tool.
Additional Medicare Part C Information:
To enroll in a Part C plan, you must first be enrolled in both Parts A and B of Medicare. Even if you find a Part C plan with a very low premium or no premium, you will still pay the Part B monthly premium. You must also live in the plan service area. Once you enroll, your Medicare coverage will be from the Medicare Advantage plan itself, not from the government.
Part C is voluntary. Many people prefer to get their Medicare coverage from Original Medicare and a traditional Medicare Supplement Plan or Medigap. These people do not want a Part C Medicare Advantage plan, so they simply don’t enroll in one.