The current enrollment period depends on today's date

Medicare has different enrollment windows that open and close throughout the year. The period you are in right now determines whether you can join a plan, switch plans, or make changes to your coverage. The main enrollment periods are Initial Enrollment Period (when you first turn 65), Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7 each year), and Special Enrollment Period (if you have a may have access to life event).

To find out which period is active today, check Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE. The representative can tell you what changes you can make right now and what you will have to wait for. If you are outside an open enrollment window and do not have a may have access to reason to change plans, you are locked into your current coverage until the next Annual Enrollment Period arrives.

Key Takeaways

  • Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 through December 7 each year, and this is when most people can switch Medicare plans or change their coverage.
  • Your Initial Enrollment Period is a seven-month window that starts three months before the month you turn 65, and missing it can result in permanent penalties.
  • Special Enrollment Periods open for specific life events like losing employer coverage, moving to a new state, or getting married, and you usually have 60 days to act.
  • Outside of an open enrollment period, you cannot switch plans unless you have a may have access to event, so knowing which period is active helps you plan ahead.
  • Medicare.gov and 1-800-MEDICARE can tell you today whether you can make changes and what your options are right now.

Annual Enrollment Period: October 15 to December 7

The Annual Enrollment Period is the main window when almost all Medicare beneficiaries can make changes. It runs from October 15 through December 7 each year. During this time, you can switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, switch between Medicare Advantage plans, switch between prescription drug plans, or drop coverage altogether. Any changes you make take effect January 1 of the following year.

This is the busiest enrollment period because it is the only time most people can change their plan without a special reason. If you are thinking about switching, start comparing plans in October rather than waiting until November or early December. The later you wait, the longer it takes to process your request, and you risk missing the December 7 important date.

Initial Enrollment Period: Seven months around your 65th birthday

Your Initial Enrollment Period is a one-time window that lasts seven months. It starts three months before the month you turn 65 and ends three months after. For example, if you turn 65 in June, your period runs from March through September. During this window, you must sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B, or you will face a permanent penalty on your premiums.

If you are still working and have health coverage through your employer, you may be able to delay Part B without penalty, but you must file a form with Social Security to document this. Do not assume you can skip Part B and pick it up later without consequences. Contact Social Security or Medicare before your Initial Enrollment Period ends to understand your specific situation and avoid costly mistakes.

Special Enrollment Period: When life events open a window

A Special Enrollment Period opens when you experience certain life changes. Common may have access to events include losing employer-sponsored health coverage, moving to a different state, getting married or divorced, or becoming a U.S. citizen. When a may have access to event happens, you usually have 60 days to make changes to your Medicare coverage.

You will need to provide proof of the may have access to event — such as a letter from your employer, a marriage certificate, or a lease showing your new address. Contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE to report the event and learn what changes you can make. If you miss the 60-day window, you will be locked out of changes until the next Annual Enrollment Period, so act quickly if you have a may have access to event.

What you can and cannot do outside enrollment periods

Outside of an open enrollment period, your options are limited. You cannot switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage, switch between Medicare Advantage plans, or change prescription drug plans unless you have a may have access to event. You are locked into your current coverage until the next enrollment window opens.

The one exception is if you are in Original Medicare and want to switch prescription drug plans only — some situations allow this outside the annual window, but this varies. If you realize you made a mistake during enrollment or your circumstances have changed, call 1-800-MEDICARE to ask whether a Special Enrollment Period applies to you. Do not wait and hope the situation resolves itself, because most changes require an active enrollment period.

How to find out what period is active right now

The fastest way to learn which enrollment period is open today is to visit Medicare.gov and look for the "Enrollment and Plans" section. The site displays the current period and what you can do during it. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and speak to a representative who will tell you your options based on today's date and your personal situation.

When you call, have your Medicare card ready and be prepared to explain any recent changes in your life or coverage. The representative can also help you understand whether a may have access to event opens a Special Enrollment Period for you. If you are unsure whether you are in an enrollment period, it is better to call and ask than to miss a important date or make a change you cannot undo.

Penalties for missing your Initial Enrollment Period

Missing your Initial Enrollment Period can be costly. If you do not sign up for Part A and Part B when you are first may be able to access, you will pay a permanent penalty on your Part B premium for as long as you have Medicare. The penalty is 10 percent of the standard Part B premium for each full 12-month period you were may be able to access but not enrolled. This penalty never goes away, even if you sign up years later.

The only way to avoid this penalty is to sign up during your seven-month Initial Enrollment Period or to have a valid reason for delaying Part B (such as active employer coverage). If you think you may have missed your window, contact Social Security or Medicare when ready to see whether you can still sign up without penalty. Some people may have access to for a Special Enrollment Period even after their Initial Enrollment Period has passed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my mind if I switched plans during Annual Enrollment?

Yes, but only during the Annual Enrollment Period itself. If you switched plans in October and changed your mind in November, you can switch again before December 7. Once December 7 passes, you are locked into your new plan until the next Annual Enrollment Period, unless you have a may have access to event for a Special Enrollment Period.

What counts as a may have access to event for Special Enrollment?

may have access to events include losing health coverage (from an employer, union, or Medicaid), moving to a new state, getting married or divorced, becoming a U.S. citizen, or having a change in your Medicaid status. Some plans also allow enrollment if you are newly may be able to access for Medicare. Call 1-800-MEDICARE to confirm whether your situation qualifies.

If I miss the December 7 important date, when can I change plans?

You will have to wait until the next Annual Enrollment Period, which begins October 15 of the following year — unless you have a may have access to event that opens a Special Enrollment Period. There is no grace period after December 7, so your coverage is locked in for the entire year. Plan ahead and make changes before the important date.

Do I have to do anything during Annual Enrollment if I am happy with my plan?

No. If you want to keep your current plan, you do not have to take any action. Your coverage will automatically renew for the next year. However, it is a good idea to review your plan each October to make sure the coverage, costs, and pharmacy network still meet your needs, even if you decide to stay.

What happens if I sign up for Medicare late?

If you miss your Initial Enrollment Period and do not have a may have access to reason for the delay, you will pay a permanent penalty on your Part B premium. The penalty is 10 percent for each full 12-month period you were may be able to access but not enrolled. You should sign up as soon as you realize the mistake to stop the penalty from growing, even though it will not go away.