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Medicare Enrollment Periods

Initial Enrollment, Open Enrollment, Special Enrollment

The timing of starting Medicare can be tricky, and with each passing year is it important to review. But what about special circumstances? This isn't every possibility, but let's review the basics:

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(Don't want to read all of this? Just skip it, contact me, and I'll figure it out for you!)

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Initial Enrollment Period

Typically, you will first become eligible for Medicare on the first day of your birth month when turning 65 (some are eligible prior to 65, we'll cover that below). Your Initial Enrollment Period starts 3 months before your birth month and ends three months after. 

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Example: If your birthday is June 9th, you can enroll from March 1st to September 30th. If you apply between March 1st and May 31st, your coverage starts on June 1st. If you apply between June 1st and September 30th, your coverage starts on the first day of the next month.

If your birthday is on the 1st of the month:​

Your Initial Enrollment Period starts 4 months before your birth month and ends 2 months after your birth month.

 

Example: If your birthday is June 1st, you can enroll from February 1st to August 31st. If you apply between February 1st and April 30th, your coverage starts on May 1st. If you apply between May 1st and August 31st, your coverage starts on the first day of the next month.

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Important: If you are already collecting retirement benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirment Board before you turn 65, you will automatically be signed up for Parts A and B. If not, you will need to proactively enroll. 

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After you are enrolled in Original Medicare Parts A and B, we can enroll you in your Advantage or Supplement/Part D Plan.

Open Enrollment Period

Each year in the fall, Medicare receipents can make plan changes that will go into effect on January 1st of the following year. This takes place from October 1st to December 7th, and the following changes can be made:

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  • Enroll, disenroll, or change Medicare Advantage Plans

  • Enroll, disenroll, or change Medicare Part D drug plans

  • Join a Medicare Advantage Plan from Original Medicare, or drop a Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare​

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period

Each year from January 1st to March 31st, Medicare Advantage Plan memebers can make a one time change to another plan or drop their Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare (the latter also allows for enrollment into a Part D Prescription Drug Plan). These changes take effect on the first day of the following month.​​

Special Enrollment Periods

There are quite a few Special Enrollment Periods, each with their own timeframes. Here are some of the more common situations:

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  • Losing coverage when retiring

  • Moved to a new area

  • Gained, changed, or lost Medicaid

  • Living in, or leaving a facility (nursing home, rehabilitation hospital, etc.)

Ready to learn more?

independent Medicare broker agent in Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Star, Middleton, Kuna, Nampa, Caldwell, Ada County, Canyon County, Owyhee County, Treasure Valley, Idaho

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