10 Important Medicare Dates to Remember (Timeline)

Timeliness is important when it comes to enrolling in and shopping for Medicare plans.

Signing up for Medicare during enrollment periods allows you to get coverage at the optimal price. Missing certain enrollment dates may mean higher premiums, late penalties and fewer plan options.

Once your Medicare coverage starts, managing your plan involves being aware of appointment dates and notice periods.

To help you keep track of when enrollment periods and other Medicare activities take place, this guide highlights 10 important Medicare dates to remember.

Certain Medicare enrollment periods differ among beneficiaries because they are determined by your 65th birthday or current employee health insurance.

Other Medicare dates are relative to your coverage start date, such as when you receive your Medicare card and when to go for your initial preventive visit.

The initial enrollment period (IEP) includes the three months before and after your 65th birthday as well as your birthday month.

If you sign up for Medicare during the first three months of your IEP, your coverage starts the first day of your birthday month.

For example: Sam’s 65th birthday is on August 15. If he signs up for Medicare in May, June or July, his coverage will start on August 1.

For those whose birthdays fall on the first day of the month, Medicare coverage will begin on the first day of the previous month.

For example: Kim’s 65th birthday is on October 1. If she signs up for Medicare in June, July or August, her coverage will start on September 1.

A common enrollment mistake is missing the IEP. If that happens, you can enroll during the general enrollment period. Note that missing both enrollment periods could result in late enrollment penalties or higher monthly premiums.

It’s important to determine whether your health coverage qualifies as group health plan coverage according to the Internal Revenue Service. A group health plan typically provides coverage to employees as well as their families.

If you have group health coverage, you may be able to delay enrollment in Original Medicare without having to pay penalties.

Not enrolling during that eight-month period may result in a coverage gap in your health care. You’ll have to wait until the general enrollment period from January to March to apply and wait for your coverage to start on July 1.

The Medigap open enrollment period depends on your 65th birthday and your Part B enrollment status.

Applying for Medigap beyond your open enrollment period might require a medical underwriting process, during which the insurance company decides whether to accept your application based on your health and medical history.

Once you get your Medicare card, you’ll need to present it to your health care provider when accessing care or services under Medicare.

If you’re not automatically enrolled in Medicare, you’ll get a Medicare welcome package that includes your Medicare card about two weeks after you sign up for Medicare or Social Security benefits.

Medicare enrollees who qualify based on disability will get this package two weeks after getting the SSDI application approved.

Once you’re signed up for Medicare Part B, you’re covered for a “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit that will take place within the first year of your plan.

This visit includes a review of your medical and health history as well as an opportunity to discuss and review your future Medicare insurance plan with your health care provider.

If your health care provider accepts payment from Medicare, you won’t have to pay for your visit unless you get additional testing or services during your visit.

Certain enrollment and notice periods recur every year. Mark them on your calendar ahead of time so you can make any necessary preparations ahead of time.

January 1 – March 31
If you miss your IEP, you can sign up for Medicare Part A — if you don’t qualify for the premium-free plan — and Part B during the annual general enrollment period. Keep in mind that delaying Medicare enrollment may result in higher premiums.

If you sign up for Medicare plans during the general enrollment period, your insurance will begin on July 1.

January 1 – March 31

However, during this period you can’t switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan or join a drug plan if you have Original Medicare.

If you enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan during your IEP, you may switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare during the first three months of your plan’s effective date.

Each Year in September
Your plan provider will send you a “Plan Annual Notice of Change” (ANOC) every September, detailing any changes in coverage, costs and providers that will take place starting in January of the following year.

You should review the changes to decide whether the plan still meets your needs for the next year. Contact your plan provider if you don’t receive an ANOC by the end of September.

October 15 – December 7
During this time, you can make changes to your current Medicare plans.

If you decide to enroll in a new Medicare plan after reviewing your ANOC, the sooner you start comparing your options, the better.

Although the sheer number of available plans can be overwhelming — which may be why less than half of beneficiaries explore open enrollment options — you might be able to find a more economical solution.

As long as your plan administrator receives your request before the end of the open enrollment period, your coverage will begin on January 1.

December 7 – November 30
Medicare Advantage plans, drug plans and Medicare Cost plans are given a rating between one and five stars — five being the best — based on beneficiaries’ satisfaction surveys and information from plan and health care providers.

The 5-star special enrollment period, which can be used only once, allows you to switch from your current Medicare plan to a five-star Medicare plan if it’s available in your area.

Medicare plan ratings are updated every fall for the following year.

It’s important to keep the different Medicare enrollment periods in mind so that you can join or change your plans according to your needs. The best time to enroll is during the IEP, but you can also enroll in certain plans during general enrollment, open enrollment or special enrollment periods.

Once you’re signed up for Medicare, also remember to sign up for the initial preventive visit and review your ANOC to stay informed about your care plan and coverage options.