Enrolling in Medicare requires a valid “election period.” While there are a multitude of election periods available, this article highlights those that are most utilized by beneficiaries either first enrolling in Medicare or who may need a change to their Medicare plan during a plan year.
Initial Election Period – When Someone Can First Enroll in Medicare
Someone is first allowed to enroll in Medicare and supplemental coverage during their “IEP” or Initial Election Period. The IEP is a 7 month typically surrounding a person’s 65 birthday. It begins 3 months before the month a person turns age 65, includes the month they turn 65, and continues for three months after the month a person turns 65.
If a person is receiving Social Security benefits prior to becoming Medicare eligible, they will automatically be enrolled in Medicare during their IEP. Their Medicare card will arrive in the mail 3 to 4 months before the month that they turn age 65, and it will be effective the 1st of the month that they turn age 65 (the exception to this rule is that if a person turns 65 on the 1st of the month, their Medicare will be effective the 1st day of the month prior to the month that they turn age 65.)
If a person is not receiving Social Security benefits prior to turning age 65, they will NOT be automatically enrolled in Medicare, but they can contact Social Security to manually enroll in Medicare during their IEP.
While the IEP for most people surrounds their 65th birthday, it may occur at a younger age if they are receiving Social Security benefits due to disability.
Annual Enrollment Period – October 15th through December 7th
The Annual Enrollment Period, or AEP, begins October 15th and ends December 7th. During the AEP, a person who is already enrolled in either a Medicare Advantage Part C plan or a Prescription Drug Part D plan, may make changes to their plan selection. Whatever change they make is effective the 1st of the upcoming year.
If a person does not change their plan during the AEP, the plan will automatically renew for January 1st unless the plan has sent written notification to the contrary.
Open Enrollment Period – January 1st through March 31st
The Open Enrollment Period, or OEP, begins January 1st and ends March 31st. During the OEP, a person who is enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Part C plan will have one more opportunity to either switch to another Medicare Advantage plan available in their service area, or disenroll from Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare only and enroll in a Part D prescription drug plan if they so choose.
They may also enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan once disenrolled from a Medicare Advantage plan, assuming they pass insurance underwriting.
During the OEP, if a person submits a change during the month of January, the change is effective February 1st; if they submit a change during the month of February, the change is effective March 1st; and if they submit the change during the month of March, the change is effective April 1st.
Special Election Periods
There are many Medicare SEPs or Special Election Periods. If someone loses their job-based health insurance and they are Medicare eligible, they may enroll in Original Medicare and Medicare supplement insurance using an SEP.
If someone is enrolled in Medicare and Medicare supplement coverage and moves out of the service area, they will have an SEP to update their plan options.
If there is a Medicare five-star plan in a person’s service area, they will have the ability to enroll in that plan anytime during the plan year.
If Medicare considers a person “low income,” they will have a once-per-quarter SEP that they can use to change their plan during the plan year.
There are other election periods too, but the ones highlighted above are those that are used most often.
If you have any questions about Medicare election periods or any other Medicare questions, or if you just need help enrolling, please connect with one of our Member Agents. There are never any fees for their educational or enrollment services!
