If you are eligible for Medicare, it is important to know when your enrollment periods are. There are specific enrollment times during which you can enroll, disenroll and switch your Medicare Advantage plan.

Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) – Your initial enrollment period is a seven-month window that begins three months before the month you turn 65, the month of your birthday and ends three months after the month you turn 65. If you are under 65 and receive Social Security disability, you qualify for Medicare in the 25th month after you begin receiving Social Security benefits.

Annual Election Period (AEP) – October 15th through December 7th every year. Coverage for the Part C (Medicare Advantage) plan you choose during this time will start on January 1st of the upcoming year. During this time, you can also add, change or drop your current coverage.

Open Enrollment Period (OEP) – January 1st through March 31st. During this enrollment period, you are able to change from one advantage plan to another or drop your advantage plan and return to Original Medicare.

Special Enrollment Period – There are several things that can trigger a special election period and most of the time they are unique to an individual. It is best to speak to a licensed Medicare insurance agent to find out if you qualify for a special election.