Joining a health or drug plan

There are specific times when you can sign up for a 

 and/or 

, or make changes to coverage you already have.

When you first get Medicare (Initial Enrollment Periods for Part C & Part D)

I'm newly eligible for Medicare because I turned 65.

What can I do?

Sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan and/or a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.

When?

During the 7-month period that:

• Starts 3 months before the month you turn 65
• Includes the month you turn 65
• Ends 3 months after the month you turn 65

If you join	Your coverage begins
During one of the 3 months before you turn 65	The first day of the month you turn 65
During the month you turn 65	The first day of the month after you ask to join the plan
During one of the 3 months after you turn 65	The first day of the month after you ask to join the plan

I'm newly eligible for Medicare because I have a disability (under 65).

What can I do?

Sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan or a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. Your Medicare coverage begins 24 months after you get Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) disability benefits.

When?

During the 7-month period that:

• Starts 3 months before your 25th month of getting Social Security or RRB disability benefits
• Includes your 25th month of getting disability benefits
• Ends 3 months after your 25th month of getting disability benefits

If you join	Your coverage begins
During one of the 3 months before you first get Medicare	The first day of your 25th month of entitlement to disability payments
During your 25th month of getting disability	The first day of the month after you ask to join the plan
During one of the 3 months after your 25th month of getting disability	The first day of the month after you ask to join the plan

I'm already eligible for Medicare because of a disability, and I turned 65.

What can I do?

• Sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan and/or a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
• Switch from your current Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to another plan.
• Drop a Medicare Advantage Plan or a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan completely.

When?

During the 7-month period that:

• Starts 3 months before the month you turn 65
• Includes the month you turn 65
• Ends 3 months after the month you turn 65

If you sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan during this time, you can drop that plan any time during the next 12 months and go back to 

Original Medicare

.

I don't have Medicare Part A, and I enrolled in Medicare Part B during the Part B General Enrollment Period (January 1–March 31).

What can I do?

Sign up for a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.

When?

April 1–June 30

I have Medicare Part A coverage, and I enrolled in Medicare Part B during the Part B General Enrollment Period (January 1–March 31).

What can I do?

Sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage).

When?

April 1–June 30

During certain times each year (yearly enrollment periods for Part C & Part D)

Each year, you can make changes to your Medicare Advantage or Medicare prescription drug coverage for the following year. There are 2 separate enrollment periods each year:

Open Enrollment Period for Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug coverage.

What can I do?

• Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan.
• Change from a Medicare Advantage Plan back to Original Medicare.
• Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan.
• Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn't offer drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage.
• Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn't offer drug coverage.
• Join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
• Switch from one Medicare drug plan to another Medicare drug plan.
• Drop your Medicare prescription drug coverage completely.

When?

October 15–December 7

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period.

Enrollment Period

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period

What can I do?

• If you’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage), you can switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage).
• You can drop your Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare. You'll also be able to join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.

What can't I do?

• Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan.
• Join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan if you're in Original Medicare.
• Switch from one Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to another if you're in Original Medicare.
   

Note

If you enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan during your Initial Enrollment Period, you can change to another Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage) or go back to Original Medicare (with or without a drug plan) within the first 3 months you have Medicare.

When?

January 1–March 31