When Can I Enroll?

Fixed Medicare Advantage Enrollment Periods

Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)

The Initial Enrollment Period is a beneficiary's first opportunity to enroll in Medicare and elect a Medicare Advantage plan when they first become eligible for Medicare.

Timeframe: 3 months before their 65th birthday month, their birthday month, and 3 months after their birthday month (7-month enrollment period).

Initial Coverage Election Period (ICEP)

The Initial Coverage Election Period is the beneficiary's first opportunity to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan after becoming entitled to both Medicare Part A and Part B.

Timeframe: Begins when the beneficiary first has both Part A and Part B and generally ends the month before their Medicare Advantage coverage becomes effective. For most individuals, this overlaps with their Initial Enrollment Period.

Annual Election Period (AEP)

The Annual Election Period is the yearly enrollment window during which beneficiaries may make nearly any change to their Medicare Advantage or Part D coverage.

Timeframe: October 15 through December 7 each year, with coverage becoming effective January 1.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP)

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period allows beneficiaries who are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan to make one plan change or return to Original Medicare.

Timeframe: January 1 through March 31 each year. This enrollment period is only available to beneficiaries currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.

Fixed Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Enrollment Periods

Medigap Open Enrollment Period (OEP)

The Medigap Open Enrollment Period is a beneficiary's one-time guaranteed opportunity to purchase any Medicare Supplement plan offered in their state without answering health questions or being subject to medical underwriting.

Timeframe: Begins the first month the beneficiary is both age 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. Lasts for 6 consecutive months.

Guaranteed Issue (GI) Rights

Guaranteed Issue Rights allow beneficiaries to purchase certain Medicare Supplement plans without medical underwriting when they lose qualifying health coverage or experience another protected event. Insurance companies cannot deny coverage or charge more due to pre-existing health conditions during an eligible Guaranteed Issue period.

Timeframe: Most Guaranteed Issue Rights last for 63 days from the date qualifying coverage ends or from the date notice of coverage termination is received, depending on the qualifying event.

Medicare Advantage Trial Right

The Medicare Advantage Trial Right allows beneficiaries to return to Original Medicare and purchase a Medicare Supplement without medical underwriting if they joined a Medicare Advantage plan when they were first eligible for Medicare and decide to leave that plan during their first year.

Timeframe: Available during the first 12 months of a beneficiary's initial Medicare Advantage enrollment.

Guaranteed Issue States: California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Oregon, Washington

Several states have expanded consumer protections beyond the federal Guaranteed Issue rules, allowing beneficiaries additional opportunities to enroll in or change Medicare Supplement plans without medical underwriting.

Annual or Continuous Guaranteed Issue States

Some Guaranteed Issue states provide beneficiaries with recurring or year-round opportunities to enroll in or change Medicare Supplement plans without medical underwriting.

State Rules:

California: Birthday Rule allows beneficiaries 60 days following their birthday each year to switch to an equal or lesser Medigap plan.

Connecticut: Continuous Guaranteed Issue. Beneficiaries may enroll in or change Medigap plans year-round without medical underwriting.

Maine: Birthday Rule provides a 30-day annual window following the beneficiary's birthday.

Massachusetts: Annual Medigap Open Enrollment occurs each year from February 1 through March 31.

Missouri: Anniversary Rule provides a 60-day window surrounding the anniversary of the beneficiary's Medigap policy.

New York: Continuous Guaranteed Issue. Beneficiaries may enroll in or change Medigap plans at any time without medical underwriting.

Oregon: Birthday Rule provides a 30-day annual enrollment window beginning on the beneficiary's birthday.

Washington: Beneficiaries may switch to an equal or lesser Medigap plan at any time without medical underwriting, subject to state rules.

Medicare Advantage Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs)

Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) allow Medicare beneficiaries to enroll in, switch, or disenroll from a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan outside of the standard enrollment periods due to a qualifying life event

SEP-CSN
(Chronic Condition)

A Chronic Condition Special Needs Plan (C-SNP) is a type of Medicare Advantage plan designed specifically for beneficiaries diagnosed with one or more CMS-approved chronic conditions. These plans often provide enhanced benefits, specialized provider networks, disease management programs, and additional care coordination tailored to the member's qualifying condition. To enroll in a C-SNP, a beneficiary must have at least one qualifying chronic condition recognized by CMS and meet all plan eligibility requirements. Common qualifying conditions include:

Diabetes Mellitus

Chronic Heart Failure (CHF)

Cardiovascular Disorders (CVD)

Chronic Lung Disorders (COPD)

SEP-MOV
(Permanent Move)

Allows a beneficiary to enroll in a new plan after permanently moving outside their current plan's service area or into an area with new plan options

Usage: One election per qualifying move either 60 days before or after set move date; move defined as moving outside of current county

SEP-LEC
(Loss of Employer/Union Coverage)

Allows a beneficiary to enroll in Medicare Advantage after losing employer or union-sponsored health coverage

Usage: One election per qualifying loss of coverage

SEP-MDE
(Medicaid Eligibility Change):

Allows a beneficiary to change plans after gaining, losing, or experiencing a change in Medicaid eligibility

Usage: One election for each qualifying Medicaid status change

SEP-LIS
(Low-Income Subsidy / Extra Help)

Allows beneficiaries whose Extra Help (LIS) status changes to make Medicare Advantage or Part D enrollment changes

Usage: One election for each qualifying LIS status change

SEP-DST
(Declared Disaster)

Allows beneficiaries affected by a FEMA-declared disaster or other CMS-approved emergency additional time to make an enrollment election

Usage: One election per qualifying disaster event

SEP-5ST
(Five-Star Plan)

Allows a beneficiary to enroll in a CMS Five-Star Medicare Advantage or Part D plan if one is available in their service area

Long-Term Care Special Enrollment Period (LTC SEP)

The Long-Term Care Special Enrollment Period allows Medicare beneficiaries who live in, enter, or leave a qualifying institution to make changes to their Medicare Advantage or Part D coverage outside of the standard enrollment periods

This SEP applies to beneficiaries entering, residing in, or leaving facilities such as skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation facilities, long-term care facilities, inpatient psychiatric facilities, or other CMS-approved institutions

During this enrollment period, a beneficiary may enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, or disenroll from Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare

Timeframe: Available once per month while the beneficiary is residing in a qualifying institution and continues for up to two months after the month they leave the facility

SEP-INC
(Institutionalized)

Allows beneficiaries living in or moving into a qualified institution, such as a skilled nursing facility or long-term care facility, to enroll in or change plans

Usage: Once per month while institutionalized and for up to two months after leaving the institution

SEP-TRC
(Trial Right)

Allows a beneficiary to return to Original Medicare and purchase a Medicare Supplement without underwriting after trying a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time

Usage: One-time election during the beneficiary's first 12 months of Medicare Advantage enrollment

SEP-PCT
(Plan Contract Termination / Non-Renewal)

Allows beneficiaries to enroll in a new Medicare Advantage plan when their current plan terminates or does not renew its Medicare contract

Usage: One election per qualifying plan termination typically found during (or shortly after the conclusion of) the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)

SEP-REL
(Released from Incarceration)

Allows beneficiaries to enroll in Medicare Advantage after being released from incarceration and regaining Medicare eligibility

Usage: One election per qualifying release