Enrollment Dates

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OPEN ENROLLMENT:  November 1st - December 15th.  Coverage starts January 1st.  Enrollments MAY continue to be allowed between December 16th and January 15th for a February 1st start date - but current Administration has suggested that this will end in 2027.

SPECIAL ENROLLMENT:  Varies depending upon the type of event.  Generally have no more than sixty (60) days from the loss of coverage or other event to apply.  Coverage generally starts 1st of the month following application.

INITIAL COVERAGE ELECTION PERIOD (ICEP):  Begins three (3) months prior to birth month; includes the birth month; and the three (3) months following birth month for a total of seven (7) months.  

Coverage will begin on the 1st day of the birth month for any enrollment requested during the three (3) months prior to the birth month.  This is the Medicare Entitlement date.  Otherwise, enrollments requested in any of the remaining four (4) months would result in an effective date of 1st of the month following enrollment.

Beneficiaries whose birthdate falls on the 1st day of a calendar month will have a Medicare Entitlement date of 1st of the preceding month (e.g.  May 1st birthday = April 1st Entitlement date.)

SPECIAL ENROLLMENT (SEP):  Varies depending upon the type of event.  Generally have no more than sixty (60) days from the loss of coverage or other event to enroll.  Coverage will generally begin 1st of the month following enrollment - unless a later date is requested.

GENERAL ENROLLMENT:  January 1st through March 31st.  Coverage would begin the 1st of the month following enrollment.  For individuals over age 65 who did not enroll when first entitled and did not have other creditable coverage.  Generally would be subject to late enrollment penalties for both Part A and Part B.

INITIAL COVERAGE PERIOD (ICP):  Begins three (3) months prior to birth month; includes the birth month; and the three (3) months following the birth month for a total of seven (7) months.

Coverage will begin on the 1st day of the birth month for any enrollment requested during the three (3) months prior to the birth month.  This is the Medicare Entitlement date.  Otherwise, enrollments requested in any of the remaining four (4) months would result in an effective date of 1st of the month following enrollment.

ANNUAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD (AEP):  Begins every October 15th and ends December 7th.  Coverage begins January 1st.

OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD (OEP):  January 1st through March 31st.  Allows for a 1-time change to a Medicare Advantage plan (MA or MAPD) only.  Coverage will begin 1st of the month following enrollment.

This period of time is also a DISENEROLLLMENT period for a Medicare Advantage plan holder that will allow the Beneficiary to drop their Medicare Advantage plan (MA or MAPD) and enroll in a Prescription Drug Plan (PDP).

SPECIAL ENROLLMENT (SEP):  Varies depending upon the type of event.  Generally have no more than sixty (60) days from the loss of coverage or other event to enroll.  Coverage will generally begin 1st of the month following enrollment - unless a later date is requested

OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD (OEP):  Open Enrollment for Medicare Supplement is based upon the effective date of Original Medicare Part B.  Beneficiaries have a six (6) month window of opportunity to apply for a Medicare Supplement plan without being required to go through medical underwriting (guaranteed issue).  Beneficiaries can be over age 65.

GUARANTEED ISSUE:  Varies depending upon the type of event.  If coming off of a qualifying group health plan, Beneficiaries will have up to eight (8) months to enroll.  Other events (e.g. existing carrier becoming insolvent) will generally provide sixty (60) days from the loss of other coverage to enroll.  Coverage start date will generally be 1st of the month following application.

BIRTHDAY RULE:  New in 2026, the Birthday Rule allows Medicare Supplement plan holders to change from their current carrier to any other carrier available in their state of residence without having to go through medical underwriting.

Application dates are one (1) month prior to the birthdate, and up to one (1) month following the birthdate.  Coverage will begin the 1st of the month following the date of the application.