Menu
Beginning October 15th and ending December 7th, the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is generally the time when you can join or switch Medicare Advantage or Part D prescription drug plans.
There’s also a Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period that begins January 1st and ends March 31st. During this time, if you’re in a Medicare Advantage plan and want to change your coverage, you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan with or without prescription drug coverage. You can also go back to Original Medicare and, if needed, join a Part D prescription drug plan.
Throughout the year, you may be able to sign up for Medicare during a Special Enrollment Period. These are typically reserved for times when certain events happen in your life — and each Special Enrollment Period can have different rules, depending on the circumstances.
Reasons for a Special Enrollment Period may include changing where you live, losing your current coverage or if your plan changes its contract with Medicare.
Your health care needs can change from year to year. So do health plans. Fortunately, Medicare gives you the ability to join a plan or change your coverage during certain times of the year.