Medicare Enrollment Periods

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 10 organizations which offer 34 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

Counts above are for Pinellas County, Florida. Call (727) 513-8338 for the number of organizations and products we represent where you live.

When can I sign up for Medicare Part A and/or Part B?

Medicare Plans

You will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B if you are receiving benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board when you become eligible for Medicare. There are certain times when you can enroll if you are not yet receiving benefits or if you have declined Medicare Parts A or B:

IEP:

When you turn 65, you have a 7-month Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). It includes the 3 months before the month you turn 65, the month you turn 65, and the 3 months after. To have Part A and Part B start the month you turn 65, sign up during the 3 months before your birthday month. If you sign up during your birthday month or later, coverage starts the first day of the month after you sign up. If your birthday is on the first of the month, your IEP is based on the month before your birthday.

PART B SEP:

If you delayed Part B because you (or your spouse) had health coverage from current employment, you may be able to use the Part B Special Enrollment Period (SEP). You can sign up any time while you still have that job-based coverage, or during the 8 months after the employment or the coverage ends, whichever happens first. You usually won't pay a late enrollment penalty if you sign up during this period. COBRA and retiree coverage don't count as coverage from current employment.

GEP:

If you missed your IEP and don't qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you can sign up for Part B (and Part A, if you have to buy it) during the General Enrollment Period (GEP), January 1 through March 31 each year. Coverage starts the first day of the month after you sign up. You may have to pay a late enrollment penalty: for Part B, generally 10% of the standard premium for each full 12-month period you could have had Part B but didn't, for as long as you have Part B.

Medicare Enrollment Periods When can I make changes to my Medicare health and/or drug coverage?

During Medicare Open Enrollment (October 15 – December 7), you can switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan or back, switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another, and join, switch, or drop a Medicare drug plan. You can make as many changes as you want, and the last change you make takes effect on January 1.

Each year, Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (MA OEP) runs from January 1 through March 31. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage Plan, or drop it and go back to Original Medicare (and join a separate Medicare drug plan). You can make one change during this period, and it takes effect the first day of the month after the plan gets your request.

Special Enrollment Period for Extra Help: If you have Extra Help (the federal program that helps pay Medicare prescription drug costs), you can use a monthly Special Enrollment Period to join or switch to a stand-alone Medicare drug plan with Original Medicare. Changes take effect the first day of the following month.

Special Enrollment Periods: You may be able to change your Medicare health or drug coverage at other times, for example if you move out of your plan's service area, lose other coverage, or qualify for certain state programs. If you aren't sure whether you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, call us or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). In Florida, the SHIP is called SHINE; you can find your local SHIP at www.shiphelp.org.

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