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Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) | Medigap Open Enrollment Period | Annual Election Period (AEP) | Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP) | Special Election Periods (SEP) | General Enrollment Period (GEP)

“When can I enroll?” This is one of the most popular questions we get from our clients, and for good reason.  Understanding all of the various enrollment periods can be difficult, especially because there are unique periods for different products and circumstances.  For instance, there is a Medicare initial enrollment period, a Medicare supplement enrollment period, a 5-star special enrollment period and many more… Some enrollment periods run at the same time as one another which can be extra confusing!

Luckily, we’ve got the answers you need.  Our ‘Even Better’ Medicare plan experts help you understand which is the right enrollment period for you so you can get covered!

The initial enrollment period (IEP) is the first time that you can sign up for Medicare.  During this time you can enroll in all parts of Medicare Parts A, B, C, D and Medicare supplements if you’d like.  Doing so during your IEP is highly recommended and will help you avoid any late enrollment penalties.

As you can see, the initial enrollment period begins the 3 months before your 65th birthday month, includes the month of your 65th birthday, and ends 3 months after your 65th birthday month.

When will my Medicare activate? Even though you enroll in the months leading up to your 65th birthday, your coverage will not begin earlier than your 65th birthday.

Here is a helpful chart to show you when your coverage will begin depending on which month in your initial enrollment period you enrolled:

*If your birthday is on the 1st day of the month, and you enroll in the 3-month period before your 65th birthday month, then your coverage will actually begin the month immediately before your 65th birthday month.

• Example:  You were born on September 1st.  You applied for Medicare in June, so your coverage will begin on August 1st, rather than September 1st.*

**If you happen to miss this enrollment period and don’t have another qualifying special enrollment period, then you will have a chance to enroll again later on. However, you may incur late enrollment penalties, pay higher prices or go without coverage.**

Part D coverage start date during the initial enrollment period Your Part D initial enrollment is usually the same as your initial enrollment period and follows the same rules regarding when the coverage begins.  Your Part D coverage however, will never begin sooner than your Part or Part B becomes active.

Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) | Medigap Open Enrollment Period | Annual Election Period (AEP) | Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP) | Special Election Periods (SEP) | General Enrollment Period (GEP)

If you are interested in purchasing an optional Medicare Supplement (Medigap) to cover the 20% costs that Original Medicare doesn’t, this period is the best time to do it.  

It runs from the month your Part B is first activated and lasts for 6 months.  So, if your Part B starts on April 1, then your enrollment window lasts until September 30th (the last day of the 6th month).  

Keep in mind your Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment period only happens once in a lifetime for most people and is not an annual period.  

This period is important to understand because unlike Part C - Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Supplement (also referred to as Medigap) plans can base your premium rate on your age and health condition, and can ask you detailed medical questions to determine your eligibility.  With Medicare Supplements (Medigap) you can be subjected to waiting periods and even be denied coverage in certain cases!   

Enrolling during your Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment period lets you avoid medical questions and denials in most cases! 

*People under 65 who receive Medicare due to disability will receive two Medicare Open Enrollment Periods.  Once when they activate their Part B under 65, and once again when they turn 65.*

Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) | Medigap Open Enrollment Period | Annual Election Period (AEP) | Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP) | Special Election Periods (SEP) | General Enrollment Period (GEP)

This is one of two periods every year when the government allows you to change your Part C and Part D coverage. In particular, this is the time of year to add or change Part C and/ or Part D coverage.  

Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) | Medigap Open Enrollment Period | Annual Election Period (AEP) | Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP) | Special Election Periods (SEP) | General Enrollment Period (GEP)

We like to tell people to think of this period as your Medicare Advantage plan ‘trial’ period.  The government is essentially allowing you to test drive the Medicare Advantage plan you selected a few months ago during the Annual Election Period (AEP) last Oct 15 - Dec 7.  

During this period you are allowed to make a change ONCE.  Here’s what you can and cannot do:

Confused by all the ‘open enrollment periods’ yet?  You’re not alone.  What’s more is that this Medicare Advantage period also coincides with the Part A and/or Part B General Election Period (GEP) below.   That’s why we are to help you straighten them all out.

Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) | Medigap Open Enrollment Period | Annual Election Period (AEP) | Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP) | Special Election Periods (SEP) | General Enrollment Period (GEP)

After your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) ends, you may experience certain life events or circumstances that affect your ability to enroll or change your coverage.  These are known as Special Enrollment Periods (SEP).  

There are over a dozen special enrollment periods and cover everything from ending your employer sponsored group health coverage, getting help from your state to pay for your prescription drugs, to moving to a different service area.  

Certain Special Enrollment Periods allow you to sign up for Part A and/ or B, while others may only allow you to enroll into Part C - Medicare Advantage plans and/ Part D -Prescription drug plans.  Some may even allow you add Medicare Supplement (Medigap) coverage and avoid the need to to undergo medical underwriting - “an evaluation process used by private health insurance companies to approve coverage and determine your premiums when purchasing a Medigap plan”.  

Many people are not aware that a current circumstance in their life may qualify them to add, drop or change coverage.  

Our ‘Even Better’ Medicare plan experts are standing by and can help you figure out if you qualify for any Special Enrollment Periods today!

Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) | Medigap Open Enrollment Period | Annual Election Period (AEP) | Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP) | Special Election Periods (SEP) | General Enrollment Period (GEP)

If you missed your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) and do not qualify for any Special Enrollment Periods (SEP), you still have the ability to enroll in Original Medicare (Parts A & B) during Jan. 1 - March 31 every year.

Unlike your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), if you enroll during the GEP, your Medicare will not become active until July 1 of that year, subjecting you to late enrollment penalties and leaving you potentially without coverage for months. 

Also unlike your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), you cannot enroll in Part C plans during this time.   

If you get Part A and Part B for the first time during the General Enrollment Period, you can also join a Medicare drug plan from April 1– June 30. Your coverage will start on July 1.

Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) | Medigap Open Enrollment Period | Annual Election Period (AEP) | Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP) | Special Election Periods (SEP) | General Enrollment Period (GEP)

Medicaid + Medicare (Medi-Medi) Enrollment Periods

If you have Medicare and also are enrolled in your state’s Medicaid program, you may be entitled to more chances throughout the year to make changes to your coverage. These Medicaid specific chances will be in addition to the enrollment periods you qualify for under Medicare.

IMPORTANT ENROLLMENT DATES TO REMEMBER

Already have Original Medicare (Part A and Part B)?  Here are some important dates to mark in your calendar to remind you when you can make changes to your coverage:

JAN 1: Your new coverage begins if you made a change at the end of the previous year during Open Enrollment.

JAN 1 - MAR 31: If you are in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan, or switch your coverage back to Original Medicare (Parts A & B) and add a stand-alone Part D plan.  You cannot do both options, you must only pick one and you can only make a change ONCE during Jan 1- Mar 31.

OCT 1: Start reviewing and comparing your coverage in order to plan for what you’d like to do for the upcoming year.  If you wish to stay with your current plan or coverage then you do not need to do anything during the Annual Election Period (OCT 15 - DEC 7).

OCT 15 - DEC 7:  Change your Medicare health or Prescription Drug coverage for the upcoming year if you’d like.  This period is known as the Annual Election Period (AEP).

Need help remembering these important dates?  Would you like someone to help you comparison shop for all the new options in your area?  Need to know what changes will take place for Medicare and your health plan for the upcoming year?  Our ‘Even Better’ Medicare plan experts will be happy to help consult and educate you on your options.  We take pride in helping you feel confident about your Medicare choices and our goal is to get you the coverage that fits you and your wallet!

Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) | Medigap Open Enrollment Period | Annual Election Period (AEP) | Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP) | Special Election Periods (SEP) | General Enrollment Period (GEP)

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