Medicare Part C and Medicare Part D Enrollment Periods
Enrollment in Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) and Medicare Part D (Rx plans) is limited to certain times. You can’t simply sign up when you want, so it’s important to know when you can enroll in the different parts of Medicare.
This tip sheet is designed to help you learn more about enrolling in a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) and/or a Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Plan) including who can sign up, when you can sign up, and how the timing, including signing up late, can affect your costs.
Note: For information about signing up for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance), visit Medicare.gov/publications to view the booklet “Enrolling in Medicare Part A & Part B.”
When can I sign up for Medicare Advantage?
There are specific times when you can sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO) or Medicare prescription drug coverage, or make changes to coverage you already have:
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During your Initial Enrollment Period when you first become eligible for Medicare or when you turn 65.
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During certain enrollment periods that happen each year. See page 5.
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Under certain circumstances that qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP), like:
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You move.
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You’re eligible for Medicaid.
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You qualify for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs.
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You’re getting care in an institution, like a skilled nursing facility or long‑term care hospital.
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You want to switch to a plan with a 5-star overall quality rating.
Quality ratings are available on Medicare.gov.
Also, see the list of different Special Election Period (SEPs), including rules about how to qualify. Note You must have Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B to join a Medicare Advantage Plan. In most cases, if you have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), you can’t join a Medicare Advantage Plan.
Medicare Advantage Initial Enrollment Periods (IEP’s)
For those of you have recently turned, or will be turning 65.
You can… Sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without prescription drug coverage) or a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
At this time... During the 7-month period that starts 3 months before the month you turn 65, includes the month you turn 65, and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65. If you sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan during this time, you can drop that plan at any time during the next 12 months and go back to Original Medicare.
If you’re newly eligible for Medicare because you’re disabled and under 65.
You can… Sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without prescription drug coverage) or a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
At this time... Starting 21 months after you get Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits. Your Medicare coverage begins 24 months after you get Social Security or RRB disability benefits. Your chance to sign up lasts through the 28th month after you get Social Security or RRB benefits.
You’re already eligible for Medicare due to a disability, and you then turn 65.
You can…
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Sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without prescription drug coverage) or a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
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Switch from your current Medicare Advantage or Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to another plan.
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Drop a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Prescription Drug Plan completely.
At this time... During the 7-month period that starts 3 months before the month you turn 65, includes the month you turn 65, and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65.
You HAVE Medicare Part A coverage, and you get Medicare Part B for the first time by enrolling during the Part B General Enrollment Period (January 1–March 31).
You can… Sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without prescription drug coverage) or a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
At this time... Between April 1–June 30.
Part D late enrollment penalty
The late enrollment penalty is an amount that’s added to your Part D premium. You may owe a late enrollment penalty if at any time after your Initial Enrollment Period is over, there’s a period of 63 or more days in a row when you don’t have Part D or other creditable prescription drug coverage. Creditable prescription drug coverage is coverage (for example, from an employer or union) that’s expected to pay, on average, at least as much as Medicare’s standard prescription drug coverage. If you have a penalty, you may have to pay it each month for as long as you have Medicare drug coverage.
Medicare Advantage Special Enrollment Periods (SEP’)
You can make changes to your Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug coverage when certain events happen in your life, like if you move or you lose other insurance coverage. These chances to make changes are called Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) and are in addition to the regular enrollment periods that happen each year.
Rules about when you can make changes and the type of changes you can make are different for each SEP. The SEPs listed on the next pages are examples. This list doesn’t include every situation.