Signing up and deadlines
What are the Medicare enrollment periods?
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Short answer
Medicare's main enrollment windows are the 7-month Initial Enrollment Period around your 65th birthday and the General Enrollment Period, January 1 to March 31, for people who missed it.
The Annual Enrollment Period, October 15 to December 7, lets anyone with Medicare join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan for coverage that starts January 1, and the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, January 1 to March 31, allows one more change for people already in a Medicare Advantage plan.
Special Enrollment Periods let you change coverage outside those windows after certain events, such as moving, losing other coverage or your plan leaving your area.
Which Medicare enrollment period applies to me?
| Window | When | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Enrollment Period | 7 months around your 65th birthday month | Sign up for Parts A and B; join a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan |
| General Enrollment Period | January 1 to March 31 | Sign up for Part A or B if you missed your first chance; coverage starts the next month |
| Annual Enrollment Period (Open Enrollment) | October 15 to December 7 | Join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan; changes start January 1 |
| Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period | January 1 to March 31 | If you're in a Medicare Advantage plan: one switch to another one, or back to Original Medicare |
| Special Enrollment Periods | When certain events happen | Change coverage after a move, losing other coverage, your plan leaving, and more |
| Medigap Open Enrollment Period | 6 months from the month you're 65+ and have Part B | Buy any Medigap policy sold in your state without health questions |
| 5-star Special Enrollment Period | December 8 to November 30 | Switch once into a plan with a 5-star CMS rating, where one is offered |
What is the difference between the Annual Enrollment Period and Open Enrollment?
They are the same window. Medicare calls the October 15 to December 7 period the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP); most people call it Medicare Open Enrollment. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, January 1 to March 31, is a different, smaller window just for people already in a Medicare Advantage plan. This year's Open Enrollment dates and plan changes.
What can I do during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period?
If you're in a Medicare Advantage plan on January 1, you can make one change by March 31: switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan, or drop it and return to Original Medicare, adding a stand-alone Part D plan. People in Original Medicare can't use this window to join a Medicare Advantage plan or to switch Part D plans.
What events give me a Special Enrollment Period?
- Moving out of your plan's service area, or to a place with new plan options.
- Losing job-based or other health coverage (8 months to sign up for Part B; usually 2 months to join a plan).
- Your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan leaving Medicare or your area. See What happens if my plan is leaving?
- Getting Medicaid or Extra Help: since 2025, a monthly chance to switch to Original Medicare with a stand-alone Part D plan, and full-benefit dual-eligible people can join an integrated plan for people with both Medicare and Medicaid in any month.
- Moving into or out of a nursing home or other institution.
- A plan with a 5-star CMS rating being offered where you live (once, December 8 to November 30).
Is there an enrollment period for Medigap?
Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period is the 6 months starting the month you're 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. During it, an insurance company must sell you any Medigap policy it offers in your state at the same price as for someone in good health. After it, you can still apply any time of year, but outside a guaranteed issue right the insurer can ask health questions. See switching to Medigap later.
Key dates
Medicare enrollment periods at a glance
- Around your 65thInitial Enrollment PeriodA 7-month window around the month you turn 65 — your first chance to sign up.
- October 15 – December 7Annual Enrollment Period (Open Enrollment)Anyone with Medicare can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan.
- January 1 – March 31Medicare Advantage Open EnrollmentIf you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can make one change.
- January 1 – March 31General Enrollment PeriodFor people who missed their first chance to sign up for Part B.
- VariesSpecial Enrollment PeriodTriggered by life events like moving or losing other coverage.
Dates are set by Medicare and apply nationwide. Confirm your personal windows at Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.
On this site: Medicare Open Enrollment: this year's dates
Good to know
More questions people ask
Can I change Medicare plans outside the enrollment periods?
Do I have to re-enroll in Medicare every year?
When does a change made during Annual Enrollment start?
Does Original Medicare have an open enrollment?
Related questions
In depth
- Medicare.gov: When can I sign up for Medicare?
- Medicare.gov: Joining a health or drug plan
- Medicare.gov: Special Enrollment Periods
- Medicare.gov: Ready to buy a Medigap policy?
Figures are Medicare’s, set nationally, and were checked against these pages on October 2026. For your own situation, contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048).
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This page was last updated: October 2026.