Content last reviewed: 01/15/2025 for Plan Year 2025
Enrollment
Periods
Understanding when you can enroll in or change your Medicare coverage is crucial to avoiding penalties and gaps in coverage.
Need help with enrollment? Call our licensed agents at (713) 565-0037 (TTY 711)
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)
7 months around your 65th birthday
Your first chance to enroll in Medicare. Starts 3 months before your 65th birthday month.
What you can do:
Enroll in Parts A, B, and D
Late enrollment penalties may apply if you miss this period
General Enrollment Period (GEP)
January 1 - March 31
Annual period for those who missed their IEP or lost other coverage.
What you can do:
Enroll in Parts A and B
Late enrollment penalties will apply, coverage starts July 1
Open Enrollment Period (OEP)
October 15 - December 7
Annual period to make changes to your Medicare Advantage and Part D plans.
What you can do:
Switch plans or return to Original Medicare
No penalties, changes take effect January 1
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment
January 1 - March 31
Additional period for Medicare Advantage members to make one change.
What you can do:
Switch MA plans or return to Original Medicare + Part D
No penalties, changes take effect the month after enrollment
Mark your calendar
October 15
Open Enrollment begins. Start comparing plans for next year.
December 7
Open Enrollment ends. Last day to make changes for next year.