To enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you must be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. You can typically enroll in Medicare Advantage during the following periods:
- Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): Once you have enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B (see When can I enroll in Medicare Part A and/or Part B?), you can also enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan.
- The Part B Special Enrollment Period (SEP): If you use the Part B SEP (see If I delayed enrollment in Part B because I had insurance through current employment, when can I enroll in Part B?), you can enroll in an MA Plan after you have signed up for Part A and B coverage.
- General Enrollment Period (GEP): If you enroll in Medicare using the GEP January-March (see If I missed my IEP and I cannot use the Part B SEP, when can I enroll in Medicare?), your coverage will become effective July 1. You can enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan in April through June.
- Fall Open Enrollment: This is the period from October 15 to December 7 every year when you can change your Medicare coverage, including by enrolling in a Medicare Advantage Plan (see What is Fall Open Enrollment?).
Read More: When Can I Enroll in a Part D Prescription Drug Plan?
Learn About: What is Fall Open Enrollment?
Return to: Medicare Advantage
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