Medicare enrollment windows follow fixed dates each year.
1. Initial Enrollment Period
Your 7-month window around turning 65 — the 3 months before your birthday month, the month itself, and the 3 months after. During this time you can sign up for Parts A and B and join a Medicare Advantage plan (or a Part D plan). If you qualify for Medicare due to disability, your window centers on your 25th month of disability benefits.
2. Open Enrollment · October 15 – December 7
The big annual window for everyone with Medicare. You can switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage (or back), change Medicare Advantage plans, and join, switch or drop Part D coverage. Your new coverage starts January 1.
3. Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment · January 1 – March 31
For people already in a Medicare Advantage plan. You get one change: switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan, or return to Original Medicare and join a stand-alone Part D plan. Coverage starts the first of the month after the plan receives your request.
4. Special Enrollment Periods
| If you… | You can generally… |
|---|---|
| Move out of your plan's service area | Switch plans; window starts the month before your move |
| Lose employer or union coverage | Join a plan within 2 months after coverage ends |
| Have Medicare and Medicaid, or get Extra Help | Make certain changes once per month |
| Move into or out of a nursing home | Switch plans while you live there and for 2 months after you leave |
| Have a 5-star plan available | Switch into it once, Dec 8 – Nov 30 |
| Your plan's contract with Medicare ends | Choose a new plan |
5. General Enrollment Period · January 1 – March 31
Missed your Initial Enrollment Period for Part A or B and don't qualify for a Special Enrollment Period? You can sign up now; coverage starts the month after you enroll. You may owe a late-enrollment penalty, and you can join a Medicare Advantage plan once your Parts A and B are active.
A smart fall routine
- Late September: Read your Annual Notice of Change.
- October 1: Plans can begin marketing next year's benefits.
- October 15: Open Enrollment begins — compare plans with an agent.
- By December 7: Make your final choice.
- January 1: New coverage begins. Carry your new member ID card.