{"id":6192,"date":"2019-10-15T09:00:14","date_gmt":"2019-10-15T13:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=6192"},"modified":"2026-01-14T11:26:26","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T16:26:26","slug":"medicare-open-enrollment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/medicare-open-enrollment\/","title":{"rendered":"Your guide to Medicare open enrollment"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The times when changes can be made to your Medicare coverage are called enrollment periods. The most well-known Medicare enrollment period is the Open Enrollment Period, which is in the fall every year from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. Changes to your plan during this time will be effective on Jan. 1.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-is-the-medicare-open-enrollment-period\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the Medicare Open Enrollment Period?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During this period, Medicare beneficiaries can change their Part D prescription drug coverage or Medicare Advantage plans. During Open Enrollment, you can do any of the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re on Original Medicare only:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enroll in a Part D prescription drug plan<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re on a Medicare Advantage plan, you can:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Switch to another Medicare Advantage plan<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drop a Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare with or without a standalone Part D plan<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re on a Part D prescription drug plan:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Switch to another Medicare Part D drug plan<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drop your Part D prescription drug plan<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\">Enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"how-to-prepare-for-medicare-open-enrollment\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to prepare for Medicare Open Enrollment<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During the Open Enrollment Period, there are a few things you need to have handy:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You should have a list of your prescription drugs, including the dosage and how often you take them.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make sure you list any doctors or healthcare providers you want or need to keep.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You will need your red, white, and blue Medicare Card. Many Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan don\u2019t typically carry their Medicare card since it isn\u2019t used at the doctor&#8217;s office.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re also on Medicaid, you may need your Medicaid number.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"what-if-you-miss-the-open-enrollment-period\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What if you miss the Open Enrollment Period?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may not have an opportunity to make changes to your Medicare drug coverage for the following year if you forget or miss the Open Enrollment Period. The only exception will be if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Special Enrollment Periods are certain situations that allow you to make a change.Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) generally last for two months after a qualifying event triggers the SEP. The rules about when you can make changes and the types of changes that you can make are specific to each SEP.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most common situations are if you\u2019re moving out of your plan coverage area or getting assistance from the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/medicare-extra-help\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Extra Help program<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicaid.gov\/medicaid\/eligibility\/index.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medicaid<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. However, several other situations can trigger a SEP. Contact Medicare or a Medicare community organization if you need help identifying if you qualify.<\/span><\/p>\n<table class=\" singlecare-table\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>\n<h2 id=\"compare-medicare-enrollment-periods\"><span class=\"title\">Compare Medicare enrollment periods<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr class=\"header-row\">\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><b>Enrollment period<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Effective date<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Considerations<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Initial Enrollment Period for people who turn 65 years old<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For those not receiving Social Security benefits, it starts 3 months before your 65th birthday and ends 3 months after you turn 65.<\/span><\/td>\n<td rowspan=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medicare coverage always starts on the 1st of the month. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicare.gov\/basics\/get-started-with-medicare\/sign-up\/when-does-medicare-coverage-start\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">See details here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/td>\n<td rowspan=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you miss your Initial Enrollment Period, you may have to wait to sign up and pay a monthly late enrollment penalty. Penalties also may apply if you have to pay a Medicare Part A premium (Premium-Part A).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medicare Part B Special Enrollment Period for people who work past 65 years old<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Within 8 months after leaving your employer-sponsored plan.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fall Open Enrollment Period (OEP)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oct. 15 to Dec. 7<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jan. 1<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is the best time to make changes to existing Medicare health and drug coverage.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period<\/span><\/td>\n<td rowspan=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jan. 1 to Mar. 31<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New Medicare Advantage coverage begins on the 1st of the month after your new plan receives your request for coverage.<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period isn\u2019t for people who are enrolled in Original Medicare.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">General Enrollment Period<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First of the following month in which you enroll.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might pay a monthly late enrollment penalty if you don\u2019t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Special Enrollment Period<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Varies by qualifying event.<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Typically, coverage starts the month after you sign up.<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicare.gov\/basics\/get-started-with-medicare\/get-more-coverage\/joining-a-plan\/special-enrollment-periods\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Find a list of special circumstances here.<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2 id=\"medicare-open-enrollment-faqs\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medicare Open Enrollment FAQs<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3 id=\"how-do-you-know-if-you-need-to-change-medicare-plans\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How do you know if you need to change Medicare plans?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may not need to make any changes to your existing coverage. It\u2019s always a good idea to review the materials your current plan sends you to make sure there aren\u2019t any changes that apply to you, such as \u201cEvidence of Coverage\u201d (EOC) and \u201cAnnual Notice of Change\u201d (ANOC). If you\u2019ve done that, and you\u2019re happy with your coverage and costs, and your medications remain on your plan\u2019s formulary, or your needs haven\u2019t changed, you don\u2019t necessarily have to do anything during Open Enrollment.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"what-happens-if-my-medicare-plan-is-discontinued\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What happens if my Medicare plan is discontinued?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your plan is being discontinued, you should receive a non-renewal notice by Oct. 2 from your carrier. You will not be automatically enrolled in a new plan. You have two opportunities to enroll in a new plan: during the Annual Enrollment Period and also during a Special Enrollment Period you\u2019ll be eligible for since you lost your Part D coverage. That Special Enrollment Period will last from Dec. 8 to Feb. 28 of the following year. If you are enrolling using the Special Enrollment Period, the start date of the new plan will be the first of the following month that you enroll, so you may have a gap in coverage.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"what-medicare-plans-are-available\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Medicare plans are available?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the Open Enrollment Period, all Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans are eligible for changes this time of year. You can change, add, or drop coverage as long as you meet the qualifications of the program you want to enroll in.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can start reviewing the plan options for Open Enrollment on Oct. 1. There is a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicare.gov\/plan-compare\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medicare Plan Finder<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tool that can help. You can compare coverage options by visiting <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicare.gov\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">medicare.gov<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">or calling 1-800-MEDICARE. You can say \u201cagent\u201d at any time to speak with a representative. Or, if you\u2019re unsure what to do, there may be a<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> state health insurance assistance program, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shiptacenter.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SHIP<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">that assists older adults with finding the best Medicare plan.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"is-medicare-s-fall-open-enrollment-the-same-as-aca-open-enrollment\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is Medicare\u2019s Fall Open Enrollment the same as ACA Open Enrollment?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/aca-open-enrollment\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACA Open Enrollment Period<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is for marketplace health insurance plans for those who are not eligible for Medicare. The Medicare Open Enrollment Period is for Medicare Advantage Plans and Medicare prescription drug coverage. However, the times that these two enrollment periods run are similar.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"what-is-the-difference-between-medicare-advantage-open-enrollment-and-fall-open-enrollment\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the difference between Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment and Fall Open Enrollment?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Fall Open Enrollment runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7 and can be used by all Medicare beneficiaries, no matter what plan they\u2019re currently enrolled in.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period begins on Jan. 1 and ends on March 31. This enrollment period is only for Medicare beneficiaries currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"can-you-join-medicare-mid-year\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can you join Medicare mid-year?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can\u2019t usually join Medicare mid-year unless you qualify for a SEP or are within the eight-month period after losing employer coverage. If you miss your Initial Enrollment Period for Original Medicare, you\u2019ll have to wait until the General Enrollment Period unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"is-it-necessary-to-enroll-in-medicare-each-year\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is it necessary to enroll in Medicare each year?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enrollment in Medicare is usually only done once in a lifetime. You can, however, change your Medicare options each year if you choose.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"what-is-the-general-enrollment-period-for-medicare\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the General Enrollment Period for Medicare?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The General Enrollment Period is only for Medicare beneficiaries who missed their Initial Enrollment Period and didn\u2019t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. These individuals will enroll during the General Enrollment Period. The GEP starts on Jan. 1 and continues until Mar. 31, and the Medicare coverage will begin on July 1st of the same year. People who miss Open Enrollment can\u2019t make changes during General Enrollment.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"can-you-switch-back-to-original-medicare-from-medicare-advantage\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can you switch back to Original Medicare from Medicare Advantage?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan and want to return to Original Medicare, you can do so in a valid enrollment period. You can make this change during the Fall Open Enrollment Period, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, or a Special Enrollment Period.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/original-medicare-vs-medicare-advantage\/\"><b>Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"when-can-people-get-information-about-next-year-s-medicare-plans\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When can people get information about next year\u2019s Medicare plans?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Information for the following year\u2019s Medicare drug plans (for Part C and D) becomes available on Oct. 1. This gives 14 days to review the options before the Open Enrollment Period begins.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"is-there-help-for-prescription-costs-with-medicare-plans\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is there help for prescription costs with Medicare plans?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes! Before enrolling in a Medicare prescription plan, you should <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicare.gov\/plan-compare\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">compare the plans<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to find a plan that covers most, if not all, of your prescriptions at an affordable cost. Refer to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/medicare-formulary\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">plan\u2019s formulary<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to find this information.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, you should see if you qualify for the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/medicare-extra-help\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medicare Extra Help<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> program. This program helps beneficiaries with limited income and resources pay for Part D prescription drug plan costs, such as premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and other costs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can also use a free <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription-discount-card\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prescription discount card<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from SingleCare instead of Medicare. These free drug coupons can be emailed, texted, or downloaded and may provide up to 80% savings on prescription drugs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/es\/recursos\/inscripcion-abierta-de-medicare\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lea este art\u00edculo en espa\u00f1ol aqu\u00ed.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The times when changes can be made to your Medicare coverage are called enrollment periods. The most well-known Medicare enrollment period is the Open Enrollment Period, which is in the fall every year from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. Changes to your plan during this time will be effective on Jan. 1. What is the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":85,"featured_media":6290,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[20901,15],"coauthors":[20918],"class_list":["post-6192","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-company","tag-featured-medicare","tag-medicare","wpautop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.0 (Yoast SEO v27.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>When is Medicare open enrollment? | SingleCare<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Medicare\u2019s Open Enrollment Period is Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. 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