When can I join a health or drug plan?

There are specific times when you can sign up for Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) and Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D), or make changes to coverage you already have.

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

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, and ends 3 months after the month you turn 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 and ends 3 months after your 25th month of getting disability benefits.  

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, and 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 at any time during the next 12 months and go back to Original Medicare.

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 have a chance to make changes to your Medicare Advantage or Medicare prescription drug coverage for the following year. There are 2 separate enrollment periods each year.

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

Enrollment Period

Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period

What can I do?

  • If you're in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can leave your plan and switch to Original Medicare.
  • If you switch to Original Medicare during this period, you'll have until February 14 to also join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to add drug coverage. Your coverage will begin the first day of the month after the plan gets your enrollment form.

What can't I do?

  • Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan.
  • Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another.
  • Switch from one Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to another.
  • Join, switch, or drop a Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA) Plan.

When?

January 1–February 14