Easy ways to enroll

When to enroll

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

• Turning 65. You can apply up to three months before your birthday month, during your birthday month or within the three months following your birthday month. Learn more about what to do when you're turning 65.
• A disability that qualifies you for Medicare.

Annual Enrollment Period 

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

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period 

Between Jan. 1 and Mar. 31, you can make one change if you have a Medicare Advantage Plan during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period. 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 loss of union-paid or employer-paid coverage or moving out of your current plan’s service area.

This special enrollment period has 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 out more at medicare.gov for specific rules.

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.