Open Enrollment

Trying to understand all of the Medicare enrollment periods can sometimes be confusing.  One in particular is the Open Enrollment Period, which shouldn’t be confused with the Medicare General Enrollment Period. There are three different types of Open Enrollment Periods: Medigap Open Enrollment, Medicare Advantage and Part D Prescription Drug Coverage Open Enrollment, and Medicare Advantage Only Open Enrollment.

The Medigap Open Enrollment Period (Medigap is also known as a Medicare Supplement) begins on the 1^st day of the month in which you are 65 AND enrolled in Medicare Part B, lasting a total of 6 months. During this time you are considered a “guaranteed-issue.” This means all Medigap carriers are required to accept you into their plan with no health questions or underwriting.

The Medicare Advantage and Part D Prescription Drug Plan Open Enrollment Period is November 15 through December 31 of every year. During this time you can enroll, disenroll, or change your Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan or your stand alone Prescription Drug Plan. This also sometimes referred to as the Medicare Annual Election Period.

Lastly, the Medicare Advantage Only Open Enrollment Period is January 1 through March 31 of every year. During this time you can enroll, disenroll, or change (only one time) your stand alone Medicare Advantage Plan. This same time period is also the Medicare General Enrollment Period. These two periods are not be confused, they are not the same. The Medicare General Enrollment Period is the time in which you can enroll in Medicare Part A and/or B if you chose not to during your Initial Enrollment Period (when first eligible).