Enrollment

Initial, General, and Special Enrollment Periods explained.

There are three main enrollment periods: Initial (when you first qualify), General (Jan 1 – Mar 31 each year if you missed your first window), and Special (triggered by life events like losing employer coverage).

Key points

Initial Enrollment Period: 7 months around your 65th birthday.
General Enrollment Period: Jan 1 – Mar 31, with coverage starting the month after you sign up.
Special Enrollment Periods let you enroll outside the standard windows without penalty.
Missing your window can trigger lifetime late enrollment penalties for Part B and Part D.

Common questions

When do I enroll in Medicare?
Your Initial Enrollment Period is a 7-month window: the 3 months before your 65th birthday month, your birthday month, and the 3 months after.

Next steps

Special Enrollment Periods →Annual Enrollment (AEP) →Late enrollment penalties →Ask about enrollment →

Enrollment

Key points

Common questions

Next steps

Related topics