Last reviewed: September 2026
At a glance
| Period | When | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Enrollment Period | 7 months around your 65th birthday month | Sign up for Parts A and B; join a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan |
| General Enrollment Period | January 1 – March 31 each year | Sign up for Part A and/or Part B if you missed your Initial Enrollment Period and don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Coverage starts the first of the month after you sign up. Late penalties may apply. |
| Part B Special Enrollment Period (employer coverage) | While covered by a group plan based on current employment, or within 8 months after it ends | Sign up for Part B without a penalty |
| Annual Enrollment Period (Medicare’s Open Enrollment) | October 15 – December 7 | Join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan; changes take effect January 1 |
| Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period | January 1 – March 31 | If you’re in a Medicare Advantage plan, switch to another one, or return to Original Medicare and join a Part D plan (one change) |
| Medigap Open Enrollment Period | 6 months starting the first month you have Part B and are 65 or older | Buy any Medigap policy sold in your state without medical underwriting |
| Other Special Enrollment Periods | Certain life events, such as moving out of your plan’s service area, losing other coverage, or qualifying for certain assistance programs | Change plans outside the usual windows |
A note about Medigap timing
There’s no yearly enrollment period for Medigap. You can apply any time, but outside your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, or a guaranteed issue situation, insurance companies in most states can use medical underwriting.
Visit Medicare.gov for full details on each period.
How I can help
It’s easy to lose track of which window applies to you. I’ll help you figure out which enrollment period is relevant to your situation, and when to act. Schedule a review to get a clear picture.
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