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Initial Enrollment Period

When you’re first eligible for Medicare, you have a seven-month Initial Enrollment Period to sign up for Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) and any additional coverage you may need (such as Medicare supplement and Part D prescription drug coverage, or Medicare Advantage).

The Initial Enrollment Period occurs three months before your 65th birthday, your birthday month and three months after.

Initial Enrollment Period is 3 months prior to your birthday month and 3 months after your birthday month

Additional Medicare Advantage enrollment periods

AEP happens every year from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. This is the time when you can:

  • Add or switch a Medicare Advantage plan.
  • Drop Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare.
  • Add, drop or switch a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan.

If you make changes to your Medicare Advantage plan during AEP, your new coverage will begin Jan. 1.

Annual Enrollment Period is every year from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7

If you missed your Initial Enrollment Period, your next opportunity to enroll in Original Medicare is GEP. But remember, because you missed your Initial Enrollment Period, you may be subject to late enrollment penalties.

GEP happens every year from Jan. 1 to March 31. If you sign up during this period, your coverage will be effective the first day of the month after you sign up.

Initial Enrollment Period is 3 months prior to your birthday month and 3 months after your birthday month

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan and find that it’s not working for your needs, you can make a one-time change during the OEP. The Medicare Advantage OEP happens every year from Jan. 1 to March 31 and during this time, you can do one of the following:

  • Switch to another Medicare Advantage plan.
  • Leave your Medicare Advantage plan and switch to Original Medicare, adding a Medicare drug plan, if needed.

Keep in mind, if you go back to Original Medicare during this time, you may not be able to buy another Medicare advantage plan until next year's AEP for coverage starting on Jan. 1.

Any changes you make during the Medicare Advantage OEP will go into effect on the first day of the month following the month you make a change.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period is every year from Jan. 1 to March 31

You may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) if you’ve recently had a life event, such as moving to a different state or losing health insurance through your job.

Depending on your type of Special Enrollment Period, you may have 60 days before or 60 days after the event to review your Medicare options and select new coverage. If you miss your SEP, you may have to wait until the next Annual Enrollment Period to apply.

Ready for a Blue Medicare Advantage plan?

Our experts are ready to talk to you and are available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, with additional weekend hours Oct. 1 to March 31.

1-800-213-3771 click to call TTY: 711

Last updated: 7/25/23 
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