Medicare Enrollment – When Can I Enroll?
For more information on Medicare, please call the number below to speak with a healthcare specialist:
1-800-810-1437 TTY 711
| What do you want to do? | When does enrollment start? | When does enrollment end? |
| Enroll in Medicare Part A for the first time based on age | 3 months before the month that you turn 65 | 3 months after the month that you turn 65 |
| Enroll in Medicare Part A for the first time based on disability | 3 months before the 25th month that you start receiving disability benefits | 3 months after the 25th month that you start receiving disability benefits |
| Enroll in Medicare Part B for the first time based on age | 3 months before the month that you turn 65 | 3 months after the month that you turn 65 |
| Enroll in Medicare Part B for the first time based on disability | 3 months before the 25th month that you start receiving disability benefits | 3 months after the 25th month that you start receiving disability benefits |
| Enroll in Medicare Advantage for the first time based on age | 3 months before the month that you turn 65 | 3 months after the month that you turn 65 |
| Enroll in Medicare Advantage for the first time based on disability | October 15th as long as you’re already enrolled in Medicare Part A and B | December 7th as long as you’re already enrolled in Medicare Part A and B |
| Enroll in a Part D drug plan for the first time based on age | 3 months before the month that you turn 65 | 3 months after the month that you turn 65 |
| Enroll in a Part D drug plan for the first time based on disability | 3 months before the 25th month that you start receiving disability benefits | 3 months after the 25th month that you start receiving disability benefits |
| Enroll in a Medigap policy for the first time based on age or disability [1] | The month that you’re 65 and enrolled in a Part B plan | Six months after you’re 65 and enrolled in Part B plan |
| Enroll in a Medigap policy outside of my initial enrollment period [1] | Varies based on insurer and state guidelines | Varies based on insurer and state guidelines |
| Enroll in Original Medicare (Part A or B) after missing my initial enrollment period | January 1st | March 31st |
| Add a Part D drug plan to an existing Original Medicare plan [2] | April 1st | June 30th |
| Add or change a Part D plan when I have an existing Medicare Advantage plan [3] | October 15th | December 7th |
| Switch an existing Part D plan [4] | October 15th | December 7th |
| Switch an existing Medicare Advantage plan [5] | October 15th | December 7th |
| Switch from an existing Medicare Advantage plan to another [6] | January 1st | March 31st |
| Switch from an existing Medicare Advantage plan to Original Medicare [7] | January 1st | March 31st |
[1] Insurance providers are not required to sell Medigap coverage to people who don’t sign up when they’re first eligible based on age or disability. They can make an exception for people who meet underwriting requirements, but your coverage may be more expensive if you buy a Medigap policy outside of your initial enrollment period.
[2] This enrollment period is available to people who have Medicare Part A and who used the General Enrollment Period (January 1st through March 31st) to enroll in Part B.
[3] This enrollment period does not apply if you are newly eligible for the Medicare program.
[4] This enrollment period only applies if you already have a Medicare Part D plan and wish to switch to another one. This enrollment period does not apply if you are newly eligible for the Medicare program.
[5] This enrollment period only applies if you are switching between different Medicare Advantage plans or if you are switching from Original Medicare (Part A or Part B) to a Medicare Advantage plan. This enrollment period does not apply if you are newly eligible for the Medicare program.
[6] This enrollment period only applies to people who are currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. You can use this period to make a one-time change to your coverage.
[7] This enrollment period only applies to people who are currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. You can use this period to make a one-time change to your coverage. If you return to Original Medicare during this period, you can enroll in a Part D plan as well.