How to enroll

When to enroll

Initial Enrollment Period

If you’re newly eligible for Medicare, you can sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan during your initial enrollment period. Common situations include:

• Turning 65: You can enroll up to three months before your birthday month, during your birthday month or within the three months following your birthday month. Visit our enrollment timeline page to learn more about what you can do when you're turning 65.
• Qualifying disability. You may also be eligible to enroll if you qualify for Medicare due to a disability.

Annual Enrollment Period

Each year, you can explore your Medicare Advantage plan options during the Annual Enrollment Period which happens from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7.

Open Enrollment Period

During the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, which runs from Jan. 1 to March 31, you can make one change if you have a Medicare Advantage plan. This includes switching from one Medicare Advantage plan to another or dropping your Medicare Advantage plan and returning to Original Medicare.

Special Enrollment Period

There are specific events that could qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period, including the loss of union- or employer-paid coverage or moving out of your current plan’s service area.

Special Enrollment Periods have rules about when you can make changes and the type of changes you can make. If you believe you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you can find the specific rules and more information at medicare.gov.

Transition process for Medicare Part D

Medicare enrollees have a transition period to give them sufficient time to work with their doctors to ensure their drug therapies are included in our list of covered drugs, also known as a formulary. The transition period also allows time to select an alternative drug therapy or to request an exception based on medical necessity.