Medicare Enrollment Periods 2024

There are six Medicare enrollment periods. Each period gives you a different timeframe to sign up for Medicare coverage. A list of factors will help you determine when your enrollment period is, including what type of Medicare plan you’re looking for, if it’s your first time signing up, your birthday and specific exceptions.

While general open enrollment, annual enrollment and Medicare Advantage open enrollment periods all have set dates for everyone, the special enrollment period, Medicare supplement open enrollment period and initial enrollment period are tailored to your birthday and specific circumstances.

Below is a calendar listing the dates for the other three periods: the general enrollment period (GEP), annual enrollment period (AEP) and Medicare Advantage enrollment period (MAOEP).

The general annual enrollment period is for new Medicare enrollees, whereas the annual enrollment period is for existing beneficiaries. If you’re already enrolled and looking to change your existing coverage, then you need to enroll during the annual enrollment period.

Your initial enrollment period (IEP) begins three months before your 65th birthday and ends three months after. For example, if you turn 65 in August this year, you are eligible to sign up starting in May. The last month you can sign up during your IEP is November.

As of Jan. 1, 2023, there is a shorter coverage gap between the time you sign up for your Medicare plan and the time your coverage starts. Previously, beneficiaries potentially went two to three months without coverage if they signed up during the last few months of their IEP.

The general enrollment period (GEP) is for those looking to sign up for Medicare coverage for the first time and runs from Jan. 1 to March 31 every year.

You can only sign up during this time if you didn’t sign up when you were first eligible and if you don’t qualify for a special enrollment period. If you’re signing up after your initial enrollment period, you may face a monthly enrollment penalty.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, there was an update to the GEP in 2023 that gives Medicare coverage quicker.

Previously, everyone had to wait until July 1 before coverage began. As of Jan. 1, 2023, you are be covered under Medicare the first day of the following month after you enroll.

The Medicare annual open enrollment period runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 each year.

Annual open enrollment periods are made available to beneficiaries because Medicare health and drug plans can make changes once per year. The Medicare open enrollment period gives you a chance to switch plans if you don’t like the changes made to your plan by your provider.

Potential plan changes include how much the plans cost, what it covers, and which pharmacies and health care providers are in the plan’s network.

Medicare special enrollment periods can happen any time during the year due to changes to your personal circumstances. For example, if you couldn’t sign up for Medicare due to an employer making a mistake and providing misinformation during your application — you qualify for a special enrollment period.

If you don’t qualify for the premium-free Part A, you could end up paying the late enrollment penalty of 10% of either $518 or $285, depending on which Part A premium you qualify for. According to AARP, the 10% penalty fee will last for twice the number of years you could have had Part A coverage but didn’t.

You can decline Part B coverage during initial enrollment if you don’t want to pay the premium — but applying for it later will cost you a monthly penalty. In 2025 the Part B premium is $185. The cost of your Part B monthly premium will increase by 10% for each 12-month period you were eligible but did not enroll.

You may also have to pay a late enrollment penalty on Medicare Part D if you go more than 63 days without creditable prescription drug coverage after your initial enrollment period ends. The late-enrollment fee for Part D is 1% of the national base premium, multiplied by the number of months you went without Part D coverage since your enrollment period. In 2025 the Part D national base premium is $36.78.

How you enroll in Medicare varies depending on which part or type you want to sign up for. If you want to sign up for a Medicare Advantage, Part D prescription plan or a Medigap plan — you can use Medicare’s plan finder tool to browse 2025 coverage options and costs.

Make sure you always compare costs and coverage before purchasing a Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan.

If you want an Original Medicare plan, which includes Part A and Part B, you can enroll on the Social Security’s website. If you don’t want to go online, there are still other options to enroll.

Before submitting your application, you should first check your eligibility for Medicare.

For example, Original Medicare typically requires you to have at least 40 work credits, which equals to about 10 years of work, to qualify for coverage. You may qualify with less credits if you have a disability.

You should also make sure you have information prepared before you start your application.

Two weeks after your application has been approved, you can expect your welcome packet, which contains your Medicare card and other important information.