Enrollment Periods

“Most people can change their Medicare Advantage or drug plan during the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 – Dec. 7). But some life events let you make changes at other times. These are called Special Enrollment Periods.”

01. AEP - Annual Election Period

In Medicare, AEP stands for the Annual Enrollment Period (also called the Annual Election Period).
It is the time each year when people with Medicare can make changes to their Medicare coverage. Specifically:

Dates: AEP runs from October 15 to December 7 each year.

Who it applies to: Anyone with Medicare.

What you can do during AEP:

Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, or vice versa.
Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
Enroll in, change, or drop a Medicare Part D (prescription drug) plan.

Any changes made during AEP go into effect on January 1 of the following year.

02. IEP – Initial Enrollment Period

What it is: The first chance to sign up for Medicare.
Who it’s for: People turning 65 or otherwise newly eligible for Medicare.
When it happens:
It lasts 7 months: it begins 3 months before the month you turn 65, includes your birthday month, and continues 3 months after.
What you can do:
Sign up for Medicare Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical).
Choose a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) and/or Part D (prescription drugs).
Example:
If your birthday is July, your IEP runs April 1 – October 31.

03. OEP – Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period

What it is: A chance to make a one-time change if you already have a Medicare Advantage plan.
When it happens: January 1 – March 31 each year.
What you can do:
Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan.
Drop Medicare Advantage and go back to Original Medicare (and join a Part D drug plan if you want).
What you cannot do:
Enroll in Medicare Advantage for the first time (only people already in MA plans can use OEP).

04. ICEP – Initial Coverage Election Period

(This is sometimes abbreviated as ICEP, though some people informally say ICIP; the official term is ICEP.)

What it is: Your first chance to pick a Medicare Advantage plan when you are first eligible for both Part A and Part B.
When it happens:
It aligns with your IEP for most people, but technically it begins when you are entitled to both Part A & Part B and ends the last day of your IEP.
What you can do:
Choose a Medicare Advantage plan right as you enroll in Medicare.

05. SEP – Special Enrollment Period

(You asked earlier about this, so just to connect the dots):

Happens outside the regular enrollment windows if you have certain qualifying events (like moving, losing other coverage, Medicaid eligibility changes, etc.).
“Think of Medicare like school registration. You have your first registration window when you turn 65 (IEP). Each year there’s a main registration time (Annual Enrollment: Oct. 15–Dec. 7).
If you’re already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you get an extra window early each year (OEP) to make one switch. And some life events open special doors at other times (SEPs).”

Every person’s situation is different. I’ll explain your choices in simple terms and help you find plans that fit your health and budget needs.

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