When can I Enroll

medicare 101

When can I Enroll in Medicare?

Just like with most health plans, you can enroll in Medicare only during certain times of the year or based on other special circumstances. Here are a summary of the Medicare enrollment dates and answers to key questions about Medicare enrollment.

I’m turning 65, when can I enroll in Medicare?

If you are turning 65, you may enroll during a 7-month window surrounding your 65th birthday: the three months before your birth month, the month of your 65th birthday and the three months following the month of your 65th birthday. During this time, you can choose from several Medicare options.

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Medicare enrollment dates:

October 1 to October 14: Shop and Compare Plans

During this time private companies offering Medicare health plans release all benefit and premium information for the coming year, so you can shop and compare plans and prepare to enroll on October15.

October 15 to December 7: Enroll in a Plan

This time period is known as the Annual Enrollment Period. During this period, you can change or enroll in a new Medicare Advantage or Part D Prescription drug plan. Changes made during this Annual Enrollment Period will become effective on January 1 of the following year, unless you meet certain special exceptions.

January 1 to February 14: Change your Coverage

This time period is known as the Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period (MAPD). From January 1 until February 14, you can disenroll from your Medicare Advantage Plan and return back to Original Medicare.

February 15 to October 14: Newly Eligible

In most cases, you cannot change plans during this time. There are some exceptions that allow you to enroll at any time of the year in a Part D Prescription Drug plan, or a Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage.

These special circumstances include people who:

  • are turning 65 or becoming eligible for Medicare for the first time (you can enroll three months before or after your 65th birthday).
  • recently signed up for Medicare Part B.
  • were enrolled in another company’s plan and recently moved out of that plan’s service area.
  • are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid.
  • are no longer enrolled in a SNP (Special Needs Plan) for people with Medicare and Medicaid benefits.
  • receive Part D “extra help.”
  • recently received a letter from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services indicating that you may be eligible for Part D Extra Help.
  • lost employer group health plan coverage.
  • involuntarily lost prescription drug coverage.
  • entered a nursing home.

Am I eligible for a Physicians Health Choice Medicare plan?

If you want to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan (with or without Part D prescription drug coverage), we can help you determine if you are eligible to enroll in one of our Medicare plans. Call 1-855-380-3578 (TTY 711), October 15, 2011 – March 1, 2012: 7 a.m. – 9 p.m., local time, 7 days a week; and March 2, 2012 – October 14, 2012: 7 a.m. – 9 p.m., local time, Monday – Friday.