I'm confused about when I can change my Medicare plan. Can you clarify the different enrollment periods for me?

Question

Larry Dalton · Accepted Answer

1.  A Medicare supplemental plan may be changed to another Medicare supplement plan at any time of the year. 
2.  A Medicare supplemental plan can be changed to a Medicare Advantage plan between October 15 and December 7. However, this change will not take effect until January 1 of the following year.
3.  Medicare Advantage plans can be changed to another Medicare Advantage plan once during open enrollment, which runs from January 1 to March 31. 
4.  Medicare Advantage plans can revert back to traditional Medicare with a supplement plan between January 1 and March 31. However, you may be without a drug plan for the remaining of the year.
5.  Medicare Part D stand long prescription drug plans can only be changed between October 15 to December 7 and do not take affect until the following year of January one. 
6.  There are other special enrollment periods allow for case by case situations.

Brian Moore · Answer

Changing your Medicare plan depends on specific enrollment periods, and knowing them can save you headaches down the line. Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) spans seven months around your 65th birthday to join Parts A, B, D, or Medicare Advantage; miss it without other coverage, and penalties loom—10% per year for Part B and 1% per month for Part D, both lifelong. The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), October 15 to December 7, lets you switch between Original Medicare, Advantage plans, or Part D options for the next year, while the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (January 1 to March 31) offers one tweak if you’re already in Advantage. Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) kick in for life events like losing a job’s coverage, typically giving you two months to adjust penalty-free, and the General Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31) is for late Part A or B sign-ups if you missed IEP. For Medigap, you get a six-month window starting when you’re 65 and on Part B to enroll without health-based denials—outside that, it’s possible but trickier—something I’ve watched folks overlook until it’s urgent over my years in this field.

Answered by Brian Moore on March 27, 2025

Broker Licensed in OH

Answered by Brian Moore Medicare Insurance Agent

Dutch VanHoesen · Answer

The annual enrollment period is Oct 15-Dec 7th. The open enrollment period for those on existing Medicare Advantage plans is Jan 1-Mar 31st.

David Moscowitz · Answer

If you are 64 years old, you can apply for a plan on your 65th Birthday, however it is recommended to speak to  agent 3months before that time. The annual enrollment periods for 2025 is October 15th - December 7th.

Open enrollment period where you can switch plans once for the year, is January 1st - march 31st.

Norman Smith · Answer

Open enrollment is 10/15 - 12/7 each year. You also may have a Special Enrollment Period, if you just retired from work, moved, or have been dropped from your spouses’ coverage.

John L Herman Jr · Answer

Without a doubt one of the most confusing parts of MEDICARE are all of the various enrollment period options. ANNUAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD, OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD, SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIODS (SEP'S), LIFE EVENT CGANGES, EMPLOYMENT CHANGES...all contribute to the confusion which is why always consulting with an Independent Broker is your best plan of action.

Answered by John L Herman Jr on March 31, 2025

Broker Licensed in MD, DE & PA

Answered by John L Herman Jr Medicare Insurance Agent

Julie Joyce · Answer

Annual Enrollment is Oct. 15th - Dec 7th is always a good time. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan you can also make a change from Jan. 1st - March 31st. There are also a good amount of Special Enrollments (life changing events)

Answered by Julie Joyce on March 25, 2025

Agent Licensed in PA, CT, DE & 9 other states

Answered by Julie Joyce Medicare Insurance Agent

Comfort Olude · Answer

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is October 15 - December 7.
a) You can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage Part C or Medicare Part D
     prescription drug plan.
b) You can switch from Original Medicare Part A & B to a Medicare Advantage plan, or vice versa.
c) You can switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period is January 1 - March 31.
a) It is available to Medicare Advantage plan members only during the period.
b) You can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare Part A & B.
c) You can enroll in a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan if returning to 
     Original Medicare.
d) Just one coverage change is allowed.

Craig Kirscht · Answer

You have a couple of times during the year that you can enroll. Every year you have the Annual Enrollment Period from October 15 - December 7th. During this time you can make as many changes as you want to your Medicare Advantage, Medigap Insurance, and Prescription Drug Plans. Any change that you make will be effective for January 1st of the next year. 

You will also have a Open Enrollment Period from January 1st until March 31st to make one change to a Medicare Advantage plan. There may be other opportunities through out the year but those are for special circumstances that may happen - moving or disanster declarations are good examples.

Mary Salmon · Answer

The most common enrollment period is Annual Enrollment Period which runs from Oct 15-Dec 7 every year. This is when Medicare beneficiaries can review their Medicare Advantage plans and make changes for the upcoming calendar year. The second enrollment period is called Open Enrollment Period which runs Jan 1-Mar 31 every year and is when beneficiaries with a Medicare Advantage plan can switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare.

Answered by Mary Salmon on April 15, 2025

Broker Licensed in TX & OK

Answered by Mary Salmon Medicare Insurance Agent

Mike Henry · Answer

Regular Medicare supplement any time. You must qualify medically. Medicare advantage 10/15-12/07. Doesn’t take effect till 01/01 of following year. With an advantage plan medication are normally covered. Also make sure your Dr and hospital you use is available. Agent should know

Answered by Mike Henry on April 15, 2025

Agent Licensed in TX

Answered by Mike Henry Medicare Insurance Agent

Joshua Filmore · Answer

Think of Medicare like a year‑round calendar with a few key “change windows.” 

First comes your Initial Enrollment Period: a seven‑month stretch surrounding your 65th birthday when you first sign up for Parts A and B and pick drug or Advantage coverage. 

Once you’re enrolled, the main time to shop around is the Annual Election Period, October 15 – December 7, when you can switch from Original Medicare to an Advantage plan (or back), move between Advantage plans, or pick a new Part D drug plan—changes take effect January 1. 

If you start the year in a Medicare Advantage plan and get buyer’s remorse, you get one do‑over between January 1 and March 31 to pick a different Advantage plan or drop back to Original Medicare with a Part D plan. Missed signing up for Parts A or B altogether? You can do that during the General Enrollment Period (also Jan 1–Mar 31), though coverage waits until July 1 and late penalties may apply. 

Finally, life happens—moving, losing employer coverage, qualifying for Extra Help, or finding a 5‑Star plan can trigger a Special Enrollment Period anytime. It’s a lot of dates, I know, but that’s why I’m here: to keep track of the calendar and make sure you’re always in the plan that fits your health and your wallet.

I'm confused about when I can change my Medicare plan. Can you clarify the different enrollment periods for me?

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I'm confused about when I can change my Medicare plan. Can you clarify the different enrollment periods for me?

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