Medicare Enrollment
Initial Enrollment Period
You get a 7-month window to sign up for Medicare around your 65th birthday.
No balloons. No confetti. Just forms.
3 months before your 65th birthday
+ 3 months after your 65th birthday
+ your birthday month
= your Initial Enrollment Period
Special Enrollment Periods
Move to a new state? Lose your job? Get kicked off your plan?
Congrats, you might qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
Annual Open Enrollment
The time of year when you can switch your plan like you’re changing your fall wardrobe. During annual open enrollment, you can:
- Switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage
- Switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare
- Change Medicare Advantage Plans
- Enroll in a Part D Prescription Drug Plan (if you didn’t before)
- Switch from one Part D plan to another
- Drop your Part D plan entirely
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment
A one-time do-over if you’re having second thoughts about your current Medicare Advantage Plan. Here’s what you can do:
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another
- Drop your Medicare Advantage Plan and go back to Original Medicare (Parts A & B)
What you cannot do:
- Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan
- Enroll in Part D alone (unless you're dropping a Medicare Advantage Plan)
Next: How to Enroll
If you’re already receiving Social Security, your enrollment may be automatic. Otherwise, you’ll have to sign up online or through the mail, just like everyone else.