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.

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 ...

If you have further questions about Medicare or the Annual Enrollment Period, call the Select Health Medicare Answer Team at 855-442-9940 or visit selecthealthmedicare.org.

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.

Suppose you don’t sign up for Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period for reasons other than having similar coverage elsewhere or another exceptional reason. You’ll likely have to pay a ...

Navigating Medicare Advantage can feel like threading a needle. One missed window now means you might be stuck waiting months to switch plans. Here's everything you need to know about the multiple… ...