Medicare Enrollment Periods

Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period is October 15 to December 7.

Medicare health and drug plans undergo annual changes, including adjustments to costs, coverage, and provider and pharmacy networks. From October 15 to December 7, individuals with Medicare have the opportunity to modify their Medicare health plans and prescription drug coverage for the upcoming year, enabling them to align their healthcare needs more effectively.

Shop 2025 MEdicare Advantage Plans

Part B Enrollment

If you have Medicare Part A but did not enroll in Medicare Part B, the Part B General Enrollment Period is from January through March. You then have until June 30 to join a Medicare Advantage plan for additional benefits starting in July.

Other enrollment periods include:

5-Star Special Enrollment Period

(Between December 8 and November 30)

Plans rated 5 stars have an additional enrollment period for you to enroll in the plan. This 5-star special enrollment period begins December 8 (right after the Annual Enrollment Period) and ends November 30 of the following year. You can use this enrollment period one time during that time frame. This means you have a one-time opportunity to choose a 5-star plan for coverage if you meet the plan’s enrollment requirements.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period

(January 1 through March 31)

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period is from January 1 through March 31. During this period, you can make one change to how you receive your Medicare benefits (for example, by changing from one plan to another or by returning to Original Medicare).

Initial Enrollment Period

(For individuals new to Medicare)

If you are turning 65 and becoming eligible for Medicare, you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan:

Up to 3 months before the month of your birthday, with coverage beginning the first day of your birth month
The month of your birthday, with coverage beginning the first day of the following month
Up to 3 months after the month of your birthday, with coverage beginning the first day of the month following your enrollment

Special Enrollment Period for Dual-Eligibles

(For people with Medicare and Medicaid)

This period applies if:

You recently had a change in your Medicaid (newly got Medicaid, had a change in level of Medicaid assistance or lost Medicaid)
You have both Medicare and Medicaid or the state helps pay for your Medicare premiums, or you get Extra Help paying for your Medicare prescription drug coverage, but you haven’t had a change

Other ways you may qualify for an enrollment period include:

You recently moved outside of the service area for your current plan or you recently moved and this plan is a new option for you.
You are moving into, live in or recently moved out of a long-term care facility (for example, a nursing home or long-term care facility).
You recently had a change in your Extra Help paying for Medicare prescription drug coverage (newly got Extra Help, had a change in the level of Extra Help, or lost Extra Help).
You were enrolled in a special needs plan, but you have lost the special needs qualification required to be in that plan.
You recently left a PACE program.
You recently involuntarily lost your creditable prescription drug coverage (coverage as good as Medicare’s).
You are leaving your employer or union coverage.
You belong to a pharmacy assistance program provided by your state.
Your plan is ending its contract with Medicare, or Medicare is ending its contract with your plan.
You were recently released from incarceration.
You recently returned to the United States after living permanently outside of the U.S.
You recently obtained lawful presence status in the United States.
You were enrolled in a plan by Medicare (or the state), and you want to choose a different plan.
You were affected by a weather-related emergency or major disaster (as declared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)).
You are in a plan that was recently taken over by the state because of financial issues, and you want to switch to another plan.
You’re in a plan that had a star rating less than 3 stars for the last 3 years, and you want to join a plan with a star rating 3 stars or higher.
You are new to Medicare, and Medicare entitlement was made retroactively/you were notified about getting Medicare after your Part A and/or Part B effective date.
You had Medicare prior to now but are now turning 65.

Questions about enrollment?

If one of the above statements applies to you, please contact Peoples Health at 1-800-978-9765 (TTY users should call 711) to see if you are eligible to enroll. We are available seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.