Whether you’re enrolling in Medicare for the first time, looking at coverage beyond Original Medicare or want to change insurance plans, you have options. Learn about enrollment periods, when you can change plans or add coverage, and what to consider before changing plans.
Whether you’re enrolling in Medicare for the first time or looking to change insurance plans, you have options. Learn about enrollment periods and what to consider before changing plans.
It’s important to know about the key enrollment periods for first-time enrollment in Original Medicare (Parts A & B), Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Prescription Drug (Part D) plans, and Medicare Supplement insurance plans. That way, you can make sure you have the coverage that may be a good fit for your needs.
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It’s important to know about the key enrollment periods for first-time enrollment in Original Medicare (Parts A & B), Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Prescription Drug (Part D) plans. That way, you can make sure you have the coverage that may be a good fit for your needs.
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Enrolling in Original Medicare (Parts A and B) for the first time
If you’re eligible for Medicare, you may be automatically enrolled in Original Medicare (Parts A and B) through the federal government if you already get Social Security benefits or become eligible for Medicare due to disability. You’ll need to enroll yourself in Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period if you’re turning 65 and will not be automatically enrolled. You might also be able to enroll in Medicare at another time during the year if you qualify for Medicare due to a disability or other special circumstance. Learn more about how to enroll at ssa.gov/medicare, or by calling or visiting your local Social Security office.
Key enrollment periods for first-time enrollment:
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)
Enroll in Original Medicare (Parts A & B). It’s best to enroll during your IEP, a 7-month long window. It includes your birthday month plus the 3 months before and the 3 months after. Enrolling in Medicare during this time helps you avoid the Part B late enrollment penalty. If you become eligible for Medicare due to disability, your 7-month IEP includes the month you receive your 25th disability check plus the 3 months before and the 3 months after.
You may enroll in Part A, Part B or both. After you enroll in Medicare Parts A and/or B, you may choose to apply for additional coverage. If you enroll in both Part A and Part B, you may choose to apply for a Medicare Advantage (Part C), Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D), or Medicare Supplement plan. You can also apply for a Part D plan if you only enroll in Medicare Part B during your IEP.
General Enrollment Period (GEP)
Enroll in Original Medicare (Parts A & B). If you didn’t sign up during your IEP, you can enroll during the GEP. The GEP lasts from January 1 to March 31 each year. You may be charged a higher premium or late enrollment penalties if you wait until the GEP to enroll in Original Medicare, though.
You may enroll in Part A, Part B or both. After you enroll in Medicare Parts A and/or B, you may choose to apply for additional coverage. If you enroll in both Part A and Part B, you may choose to join a Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) plan between April 1 and June 30 of the same year. You can also enroll in a Part D plan if you only enroll in Medicare Part B during the GEP.
Special Enrollment Period (SEP) – Working past 65
Certain life changes let you enroll outside the IEP. Life changes include: Retiring and no longer having coverage from an employer, or moving out of your current plan’s service area.
Enroll in Original Medicare (Parts A & B) first. If you are 65 and eligible for Medicare, you have 8 months to enroll in Original Medicare without a late penalty after the month your employment or employer coverage ends, whichever comes first. This is also true if you are covered under your spouse’s employer coverage.
You need to act quickly if you want additional coverage. Your 8-month SEP includes a 2-month window to enroll in Part C or Part D. You have 2 months after the month your employment or employer coverage ends to enroll in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) plan. And remember: you need both Part A and Part B to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, and either Part A or Part B (or both) to enroll in a Medicare Prescription Drug plan.
You don’t have to keep your current coverage forever. If you’re considering changing plans, be sure to think about your health care and budget needs.1
Some plans, like Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug plans, send information to members every fall that explains changes in the plan’s benefit coverage, costs, or service area for the next plan year. This information can help you decide if it’s time to change plans. It’s also important to look at your current and future coverage and budget needs.
1Note: If you choose to change Medigap plans, restrictions and/or underwriting for current health status may apply in states that allow it.
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You don’t have to keep your current coverage forever. If you’re considering changing plans, be sure to think about your health care and budget needs.
Some plans, like Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug plans, send information to members every fall that explains changes in the plan’s benefit coverage, costs, or service area for the next plan year. This information can help you decide if it’s time to change plans. It’s also important to look at your current and future coverage and budget needs.
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Evaluate your current coverage
Take a look at your current coverage. Is your coverage still meeting your needs? Here are some questions that might help you decide if you should change your coverage:
Have there been changes to your personal health needs?
Will your benefits change next year?
If your plan uses provider networks, will your provider(s) still be in your plan’s network next year? Do you need to see a specialist? Do you need a referral to do so?
Is the medication you take still on your plan’s drug list (formulary)? Will the plan’s network of pharmacies make it easy and convenient for you to access your drugs?
Does the plan offer additional benefits that are important to you, such as dental and vision care or a fitness benefit?
Evaluate any budget/cost changes
Take an honest look at your budget and the costs of your current coverage. The questions below can help you make sure your coverage fits your budget:
Will your monthly premium payment be higher, the same or lower next year?
If your plan uses pharmacy networks, will your pharmacy still be in-network for the upcoming plan year?
Will your medication still be on the plan’s drug list (formulary) next year? Is any of your medication changing drug tiers? The higher the tier, the more expensive a drug can be.
Will there be changes to your deductible, copay or coinsurance amounts? Will you be paying more or less than you are now?
Applying for additional coverage (Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement insurance, and Medicare Prescription Drug plans) for the first time
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Applying for additional coverage (Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug plans) for the first time
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After you enroll in Original Medicare, you may also want to apply for a plan with additional coverage through private insurance companies like UnitedHealthcare.
Key enrollment periods for changing your coverage:
Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) for Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is October 15 to December 7 every year. The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is the same time every year, which can help you prepare to add or switch coverage.
Join, switch or drop a plan during AEP. If you don’t make any changes during AEP, your current plan will automatically renew the following year. If you drop a Medicare Advantage plan during AEP and don’t enroll in another one, you will automatically go back to Original Medicare. Remember this might mean you’ll lose drug coverage if it was included with your plan. You can replace a Medicare Advantage plan with a standalone Medicare Prescription Drug plan during AEP without penalty. If you drop prescription drug coverage during AEP and decide to get it again later, you may have to pay a penalty.
Special Enrollment Period (SEP) – Changing or adding Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug coverage
Certain life changes let you get coverage outside your IEP. This period of time is called a Special Enrollment or Special Election Period (SEP).
If you qualify, you can return to Original Medicare (Parts A & B) or join, change or drop a Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) plan. Some of these “qualifying events” may include retiring and no longer having coverage from an employer or moving out of your current plan’s service area.
Key enrollment periods for changing your coverage:
Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) for Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is October 15 to December 7 every year. The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is the same time every year, which can help you prepare to add or switch coverage.
Join, switch or drop a plan during AEP. If you don’t make any changes during AEP, your current plan will automatically renew the following year. If you drop a Medicare Advantage plan during AEP and don’t enroll in another one, you will automatically go back to Original Medicare. Remember this might mean you’ll lose drug coverage if it was included with your plan. You can replace a Medicare Advantage plan with a standalone Medicare Prescription Drug plan during AEP without penalty. If you drop prescription drug coverage during AEP and decide to get it again later, you may have to pay a penalty.
Special Enrollment Period (SEP) – Changing or adding Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug coverage
Certain life changes let you get coverage outside your IEP. This period of time is called a Special Enrollment or Special Election Period (SEP).
If you qualify, you can return to Original Medicare (Parts A & B) or join, change or drop a Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) plan. Some of these “qualifying events” may include retiring and no longer having coverage from an employer or moving out of your current plan’s service area.
Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period
Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment period is the six-month period that starts the first month in which you are age 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. If your initial enrollment in Part B is before age 65, you have a second six-month Open Enrollment period beginning the month you turn 65. Some states may have additional open enrollment periods and there may be other situations in which your acceptance may be guaranteed
You can apply for a Medicare Supplement insurance plan any time during the year*.
*If you choose to apply outside of your Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment period or a Guaranteed Issue period, you may be underwritten and not accepted into the plan. (This does not apply to residents of Connecticut and New York where guaranteed issue is ongoing and Medicare Supplement plans are guaranteed available.)
You can add a Medicare Supplement plan and/or a standalone Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) plan to Original Medicare (Parts A & B). You cannot have a Medicare Supplement plan and a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan at the same time.
Explore the Medicare Advantage, Medicare Prescription Drug and Medicare Supplement insurance plans that may be available in your area. Or learn if you qualify for a Medicare Special Needs Plan.
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AARP® encourages you to consider your needs when selecting products and does not make specific product recommendations for individuals.
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AARP® Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans
Insured by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company, Horsham, PA (UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of New York, Islandia, NY for New York residents). Policy form No. GRP 79171 GPS-1 (G-36000-4).
In some states, plans may be available to persons under age 65 who are eligible for Medicare by reason of disability or End-Stage Renal Disease.
Not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the federal Medicare program.
This is a solicitation of insurance. A licensed insurance agent/producer may contact you.
You must be an AARP member to enroll in an AARP Medicare Supplement Plan.
THESE PLANS HAVE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS, EXCLUSIONS AND LIMITATIONS. FOR COSTS AND COMPLETE DETAILS (INCLUDING OUTLINES OF COVERAGE), CALL A LICENSED INSURANCE AGENT/PRODUCER AT THE TOLL-FREE NUMBER ABOVE.
Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Prescription Drug plans
Plans are insured through United Healthcare Insurance Company or one of its affiliated companies, a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract and a Medicare-approved Part Dsponsor. Enrollment in these plans depends on the plan's contract renewal with Medicare.
You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium ifnot otherwise paid for under Medicaid or by another third party.
The formulary, pharmacy network, and/or provider network may change at any time. You will receive notice when necessary. This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information. Limitations, copayments, and restrictions may apply. Benefits, premium and/or copayments/ coinsurance may change on January 1 of each year.
