Medicare Initial Enrollment Period: What to Know Medically reviewed by Oluwatoyin Kuloyo, Pharm.D., BCPS — Written by James Sullivan on June 2, 2025 Overview ...

Medicare has an initial enrollment period around your birth month, open enrollment toward the end of the year, and special enrollment periods that vary depending on your circumstances.

When Is the Medicare Advantage Annual Enrollment Period? The annual enrollment period is from October 15 to December 7 each year. This is open to anyone over age 65 (and those younger than 65 with ...

For most people, the Medicare initial enrollment period (IEP) is their first chance to sign up for Medicare. The IEP occurs around the time a person turns 65 years old.

Another option is the open enrollment period, which runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. During any of these periods, people can sign up for a Part D drug plan or a Medicare Advantage plan.

Missing Medicare enrollment at 65 may trigger penalties that lower Social Security benefits—knowing the deadlines is key to protecting income.

Medicare's initial enrollment period is a special seven-month window for people who are turning 65. (Getty Images) More Stories ‘Power’ walking on a tour of Hoover Dam history.

The age of 65 is when Original Medicare begins for most individuals. The time of year we turn 65 is different for everyone, therefore everyone’s initial enrollment period comes at a different time.

Initial enrollment: This period is when you first become eligible for Medicare. This is a 7-month period surrounding your 65th birthday – 3 months before, the month of, and 3 months after, your ...

A chance to review and switch plans. Initial Enrollment Period: For those new to Medicare, you have a seven-month window around your birthday month to enroll—three months before, three months ...

The Initial Enrollment Period is the first opportunity for most people to sign up for Medicare. Alex Uhm explains, “The initial enrollment period is a seven-month window that starts three months ...

When Is the Medicare Advantage Initial Enrollment Period? The initial enrollment period is the first time you’re eligible to sign up for Medicare Advantage, or Medicare Part C. This initial ...