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When to enroll in Medicare October 01, 2024 Medicare Health Insurance Basics 2 MINUTE READ

The first step to picking your Medicare plan is understanding what Medicare is, then you can create your ideal coverage. But you also need to know when and how to enroll.

Initial Enrollment Period

Your Initial Enrollment Period is when you are first eligible to enroll in Medicare. This applies to all Medicare parts: Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and Medicare Part D. If you don’t sign up for Medicare Part B when you’re first eligible, Medicare will require you to pay a late enrollment penalty.

Your Initial Enrollment Period is:

  • The month when you turn 65
  • 3 months before you turn 65
  • 3 months after you turn 65

Before you enroll, you’ll want to confirm your month of eligibility. To see when you’re eligible, visit the Social Security Administration's website or call 800-772-1213 (TTY: 800-325-0778).

Additional enrollment periods

As your needs or budget change over time, you may find yourself wanting to change plans. You can make changes to your plan during the following enrollment periods.

Annual Enrollment Period

When: Each year from October 15 through December 7

What you can do:

  • Switch from Original Medicare / Medicare Supplement to Medicare Advantage
  • Switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare / Medicare Supplement 
  • Change Medicare Advantage plans
  • Add or drop a standalone Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (PDP)
Open Enrollment Period

When: Each year from January 1 through March 31

What you can do:

  • Change Medicare Advantage plans
  • Drop your Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare / Medicare Supplement
  • If returning to Original Medicare, you also have the option at this time to purchase a standalone Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (PDP).
Special Enrollment Period

When: You may make changes to your plan any time your situation qualifies. For example, if you happen to move to a home outside your service area, you are allowed to change plans.

What you can do, if eligible:

  • Switch from Original Medicare / Medicare Supplement to Medicare Advantage
  • Switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare / Medicare Supplement 
  • Change Medicare Advantage plans
  • Join, switch or drop a standalone Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (PDP)

For more information on Special Enrollment Period, visit Medicare.gov.

Changing Medicare Supplement plans

Typically, you can only change Medicare Supplement plans when your plan is up for renewal – once each year in May. You may also have to answer additional health questions to be accepted into the new plan. 

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) gives you additional flexibility, allowing you to change Medicare Supplement plans during Annual Enrollment Period – without additional medical exams, underwriting or health questions. You can also switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare + Blue Medicare Supplement without underwriting during this time.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

Finding the right Medicare plan is more than just another box on your to-do list. It's an important step to retirement that can give you security and peace of mind. Once you found your ideal coverage, you'll want to know how and when to enroll. Let's talk about enrollment periods.

[SCREEN TEXT] Initial Enrollment Period

The first opportunity you have to enroll is your initial enrollment period. This is a 7-month period that begins three months before and ends three months after your month of eligibility. Your month of eligibility is usually your 65th birthday, but it can also depend on when you decide to retire. If you're not retiring at 65, you'll still have an opportunity to sign up for Medicare when you're ready. You can also talk to your HR benefits specialists about your Medicare options while you're still employed.

Once you've enrolled in Medicare, you have the option to change plans if your needs or budget change over time. You have two opportunities each year to change your Medicare plan.

[SCREEN TEXT] Medicare Advantage

Original Medicare

Part D

For original Medicare, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D, these are annual enrollment and open enrollment.

[SCREEN TEXT] Annual Enrollment: October 15 – December 7

[SCREEN TEXT] Open Enrollment: January 1 – March 31

For Blue Medicare Supplement, you also have two opportunities to change your plan each year.

[SCREEN TEXT] Blue Cross NC MEDICARE

While most insurers only allow you to make changes during renewal, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina gives you one additional time each year to change your Blue Medicare Supplement plan without additional underwriting or health questions through our exclusive Blue to Blue program. This is just one of the many ways Blue Medicare makes planning for the future a little easier.

[SCREEN TEXT] medicare.bluecrossnc.com

To learn more about Blue Medicare or to enroll, visit us at Medicare.BluecrossNC.com.

[SCREEN TEXT] BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina

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