Medicare has three enrollment windows that matter for Medicare Advantage: Initial Enrollment around your 65th birthday, the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 - December 7) for switching plans, and the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 - March 31) for a one-time change if you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan.
7 months: starts 3 months before your 65th birthday month, includes your birthday month, ends 3 months after. Your first chance to enroll in Medicare and a Medicare Advantage plan.
October 15 - December 7 every year. Switch Medicare Advantage plans, move to or from Original Medicare, or change your Part D drug plan. Changes take effect January 1.
January 1 - March 31. If you're already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, a one-time window to switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or back to Original Medicare.
Missing Initial Enrollment can mean a late enrollment penalty added permanently to your Part B premium, plus a wait until the next General Enrollment Period. Missing Annual Enrollment means waiting until the next October to change plans, even if your current plan no longer covers your doctors or medications well. Guy sets a reminder ahead of these dates for the clients he works with so nothing gets missed.
If you don't have other qualifying coverage (such as through an employer), delaying enrollment can trigger a permanent late enrollment penalty added to your Part B premium, plus a wait until the next General Enrollment Period (January 1 - March 31) to sign up.
Generally you get one change during Annual Enrollment (effective January 1) and, if already in a Medicare Advantage plan, one more during the MA Open Enrollment Period (January 1 - March 31). Certain life events, like moving out of your plan's service area, can open a Special Enrollment Period outside these windows.
No. Annual Enrollment exists specifically so you can switch plans each year without penalty, whether you're changing Medicare Advantage plans, moving to Original Medicare, or adjusting your Part D coverage.
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