There are specific times when you can sign up for Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) and Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D), or make changes to coverage you already have.
- Watch a brief video about when you can sign up for Part C and Part D.
- Find and compare plans in your area.
When you first get Medicare (Initial Enrollment Periods for Part C & Part D)
What can I do?
Sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan and/or a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
When?
During the 7-month period that starts 3 months before the month you turn 65, includes the month you turn 65, and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65.
What can I do?
Sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan or a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. Your Medicare coverage begins 24 months after you get Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) disability benefits.
When?
During the 7-month period that starts 3 months before your 25th month of getting Social Security or RRB disability benefits and ends 3 months after your 25th month of getting disability benefits.
What can I do?
- Sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan and/or a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
- Switch from your current Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to another plan.
- Drop a Medicare Advantage Plan or a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan completely.
When?
During the 7-month period that starts 3 months before the month you turn 65, includes the month you turn 65, and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65.
If you sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan during this time, you can drop that plan at any time during the next 12 months and go back to Original Medicare.
What can I do?
Sign up for a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
When?
April 1–June 30
What can I do?
Sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage).
When?
April 1–June 30
During certain times each year (yearly enrollment periods for Part C & Part D)
Each year, you have a chance to make changes to your Medicare Advantage or Medicare prescription drug coverage for the following year. There are 2 separate enrollment periods each year.
What can I do?
- Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan.
- Change from a Medicare Advantage Plan back to Original Medicare.
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan.
- Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn't offer drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage.
- Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn't offer drug coverage.
- Join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
- Switch from one Medicare drug plan to another Medicare drug plan.
- Drop your Medicare prescription drug coverage completely.
When?
October 15–December 7
Enrollment Period
Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period
What can I do?
- If you're in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can leave your plan and switch to Original Medicare.
- If you switch to Original Medicare during this period, you'll have until February 14 to also join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to add drug coverage. Your coverage will begin the first day of the month after the plan gets your enrollment form.
What can't I do?
- Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan.
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another.
- Switch from one Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to another.
- Join, switch, or drop a Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA) Plan.
When?
January 1–February 14