There are multiple different enrollment periods when it comes to Medicare. They are open at different times of the year, and certain people get special periods to enroll. This a confusing topic that many people have a hard time keeping up with. Below I will show you the main enrollment periods you need to know about.
Initial Enrollment Period
This is the period when you are first able to sign up for for Medicare Parts A & B that spans 7 months. Usually this period is the three months before and after the month of your birthday. However, if your birthday falls on the first of the month than the period is 4 months before your birth month and only 2 after.
If you sign up in the months leading up to your birthday, coverage generally begins on the first day of your birthday month. If you sign up in your birth month or the three months after, coverage begins the beginning of the next month.
During this time it is important to make the decision on if you are going to go with a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare Supplement plan. The reason for that is because your initial enrollment period allows you guaranteed issue on Medicare Supplement policies. This means that providers cannot deny you the plan based on any age, health, or other conditions. Later on in the future if you choose to switch from Med Advantage to Med Supplement, you could be subject to underwriting, higher premiums, and denial on your application.
Special Enrollment Periods
There are multiple different Special Enrollment Periods (SEP)
If you did not sign up for Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period because you had group health coverage through work, a spouse or otherwise, you may be allowed a SEP. You may sign up for parts A & B anytime you’re still covered by the plan, or during an 8 month period beginning the month after employment or coverage end (Whichever happens first). Coverage generally begins the month after you sign up. If you are still working you can delay the coverage for up to three months.
There are also exceptions for general circumstances these can include natural disasters, emergencies, incarceration, employer or health plan error, losing other coverage, or other circumstances outside your control that Medicare determines are significant.
In 2026 there are also SEPS for people who are dually eligible, dual eligibility means that they are beneficiaries of both Medicare and Medicaid. Texas has three carriers that can offer Highly and Fully integrated dual eligible plans to these people. People who qualify for these get special enrollment periods monthly for certain things. Attached below is a chart explaining the eligibility on the SEPS for those people.
Annual Enrollment Period
This is the big one. Every year starting on October 1st, agents and companies begin to roll out and marketing plans for the upcoming year. Starting on October 15th and running to December 7th, people enrolled in Medicare Advantage can make coverage changes in this period. You are allowed to make any changes to your Medicare that you decide to without penalty. This is a very busy time of year for Medicare as people are losing coverage and plans increase in price or change benefits. Even if you are on a Medicare Advantage plan already, it’s not a bad idea to review your options and see if there is a better plan out there for you.
General Enrollment Period
This election period runs from January 1st to March 31st of each year. This period allows you to get Medicare Parts A & B if you have not already signed up. This period is only for Medicare Parts A & B and coverage starts the month after you sign up.
Open Enrollment Period
This period also runs from January 1st to March 31st however this period is for people already enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans. During OEP you can switch from one plan to another, or drop your advantage plan and go back to original Medicare. You also have the option to add a part D plan if you switch back to original Medicare. During this period you cannot switch from original Medicare into Medicare Advantage, you also cannot join a part D unless you are leaving Medicare.
I Know it’s a lot
Please reach out and contact me. There are a lot of moving parts and everything was not designed to be simple. Allow me to give you expertise and help guide you.