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Medicare Advantage and Drug Plans: Enrollment Windows and Special Circumstances
Adapted from Understanding Medicare Advantage & Medicare Drug Plan Enrollment Periods, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The selected guidance concerns Medicare coverage and payment, not a recommendation for medical treatment. Numbered page references below refer to the linked source publication.
Coverage can depend on medical necessity, the setting, provider participation, and your plan’s rules. Use the cited publication for the full conditions and check the plan year when comparing costs or enrollment choices.
Initial Enrollment Periods
Your first chance to sign up for Medicare is called your Initial Enrollment Period.
| If you... | You can... | Coverage starts... |
|---|---|---|
| Are newly eligible for Medicare because you turn 65. | Join a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage) or a Medicare drug plan during the 7-month period that includes the 3 months before you turn 65, the month you turn 65, and 3 months after the month you turn 65. If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan during this time, you can drop that plan at any time during the next 12 months and go back to Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). | If you request to join a plan before your Medicare Part A and/or Part B starts, your plan coverage starts the same day as when your Medicare Part A and/or Part B starts. If you request to join a plan after your Medicare Part A and/or Part B starts, your plan coverage starts the first day of the month after the plan gets your request. |
| Are newly eligible for Medicare because you have a disability and you’re under 65. | Join a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage) or a Medicare drug plan. Your chance to join starts 21 months after you get Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) disability benefits and lasts through the 28th month after you start getting Social Security or RRB benefits. Note: If you’re getting Social Security or RRB disability benefits, you’ll get Medicare automatically after getting disability benefits for 24 months. If you have ALS (also called Lou Gehrig’s disease) you’ll get Medicare automatically as soon as you start getting disability benefits. | If you request to join a plan before your Medicare Part A and/or Part B starts, your plan coverage starts the same day as when your Medicare Part A and/or Part B starts. If you request to join a plan after your Medicare Part A and/or Part B starts, your plan coverage starts the first day of the month after the plan gets your request. |
| Are already eligible for Medicare because of a disability, and you turn 65. | Join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage) or a Medicare drug plan during the 7-month period that includes the 3 months before you turn 65, the month you turn 65, and 3 months after the month you turn 65. If you drop a Medicare Advantage Plan, you’ll return to Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). | If you request to join a plan before you turn 65, your plan coverage starts the month you turn 65. If you request to join a plan during or after the month you turn 65, your plan coverage starts the first day of the month after the plan gets your request. |
| Get Part B after your Part A coverage starts. | Join any Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage) 3 months before your Part B starts through the first 2 months of your Part B enrollment. | If you request to join a plan before your Medicare Part B starts, your plan coverage starts the same day as your Medicare Part B. If you request to join a plan after your Part B starts, your plan coverage starts the first day of the month after the plan gets your request. |
Yearly enrollment periods
Each year, there are 2 times when you can make changes to your coverage for the following year.
| During this enrollment period... | You can... |
|---|---|
| Open Enrollment Period October 15–December 7 (Changes will take effect on January 1.) | • Join, drop, or switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan (or add or drop drug coverage). • Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan or switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan to Original Medicare. • Join, drop, or switch to another Medicare drug plan if you’re in Original Medicare. |
| Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period • If you’re already in a Medicare Advantage Plan, this period runs from January 1– March 31. • If you’re new to Medicare and joining a Medicare Advantage Plan, this period runs from the first month you have both Part A and Part B, until the last day of the 3rd month you have both. You can only make one change each year during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period. Changes will take effect the first day of the month after the plan gets your request. | • Switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage). • Drop your Medicare Advantage Plan and go back to Original Medicare. If you do this, you’ll be able to join a Medicare drug plan. You can’t... • Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan. • Join a Medicare drug plan if you’re in Original Medicare. • Switch from one Medicare drug plan to another if you’re in Original Medicare. |
Note: You can join a Medical Savings Account Plan only during Open Enrollment or the Initial Enrollment Period for Medicare Advantage Plans. You can leave a Medical Savings Account Plan only during Open Enrollment or a Special Enrollment Period. Visit Medicare.gov/ health-drug-plans/health-plans/your-health-plan-options for more information about joining a Medical Savings Account Plan or other Medicare Advantage Plans.
Special Enrollment Periods
You can make changes to your Medicare Advantage Plan and Medicare drug coverage when certain events happen in your life, like if you move or lose other coverage. These chances to make changes are called Special Enrollment Periods. There are many events that may qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period.
The types of changes you can make and the timing depend on your life event. If you have questions or need help making enrollment changes, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
You change where you live
| If you… | You can… | At this time... |
|---|---|---|
| Move to a new address that isn’t in your plan’s service area. | Switch to a new Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage) or Medicare drug plan. You can also choose to go back to Original Medicare if you’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan and you move outside your plan’s service area. If you move outside your old plan’s service area and don’t join a new Medicare Advantage Plan during this Special Enrollment Period, you’ll be enrolled in Original Medicare when you’re dropped from your old Medicare Advantage Plan. | Your chance to switch begins when you move and continues for 2 full months after you move. If you tell your plan before you move, your chance to switch plans begins the month before the month you move and continues for 2 full months after you move. |
| Move to a new address that’s still in your plan’s service area, but you have new plan options in your new location. | ||
| Move back to the U.S. after living outside the country. | Join a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare drug plan. | Your chance to join lasts for 2 full months after the month you move back to the U.S. |
| Live in or recently moved out of an institution (like a nursing home or rehabilitation hospital). | • Join a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare drug plan. • Switch from your current plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare drug plan. • Drop your Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare. • Drop your Medicare drug plan. | Your chance to join, switch, or drop coverage lasts as long as you live in the institution and for 2 full months after the month you move out of the institution. |
| Were in jail or incarcerated and have been released. | • Join a Medicare Advantage Plan with or without drug coverage (if you have or get both Part A and B after your release). • Join a Medicare drug plan (if you have or get either Part A and/or Part B after your release). | You’ll have 2 full calendar months after you’re released to join a plan. Note: If you lost Medicare while you were in jail or incarcerated, you may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period for Parts A and/or B – contact Social Security for more information. You’ll then have 2 full calendar months to join a plan after your Medicare Part A and/or B becomes effective. |
You lose your current coverage
| If you... | You can... | At this time... |
|---|---|---|
| Are no longer eligible for Medicaid. | • Join a Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage or a Medicare drug plan. • Switch from your current plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage or a Medicare drug plan. • Drop your Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage and return to Original Medicare. • Drop your Medicare drug plan. | Your chance to change plans lasts for 3 full months from either the date you’re no longer eligible or the date you’re notified you’re no longer eligible, whichever is later. |
| Leave coverage from your employer or union (including COBRA coverage). | Join a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare drug plan. | Your chance to join lasts for 2 full months after the month your coverage ends. |
| Involuntarily lose other drug coverage that’s as good as Medicare drug coverage (creditable coverage), or your other coverage changes and is no longer creditable. | Join a Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage or a Medicare drug plan. | Your chance to join lasts for 2 full months after the month you lose your creditable coverage, or for 2 full months after you’re notified that your current coverage is no longer creditable, whichever is later. |
| Have drug coverage through a Medicare Cost Plan and you leave the plan. | Join a Medicare drug plan. | Your chance to join lasts for 2 full months after the month you drop your Medicare Cost Plan. |
| Drop your coverage in a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) Plan. | Join a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare drug plan. | Your chance to join lasts for 2 full months after the month you drop your PACE Plan. |
You have a chance to get other coverage
| If this describes you... | You can... | At this time... |
|---|---|---|
| You have a chance to get other coverage offered by your employer or union. | Drop your current Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare drug plan to enroll in the private plan offered by your employer or union. | Whenever your employer or union allows you to enroll. |
| You have or are getting other creditable prescription drug coverage as good as Medicare drug coverage (like TRICARE or VA coverage). | Drop your current Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage or Medicare drug plan. You’ll be enrolled in Original Medicare after you drop your Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage. You also can switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan without drug coverage. | Anytime. |
| You join a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) Plan. | Drop your current Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare drug plan. | Anytime. |
| You live in the service area of one or more Medicare Advantage Plans or Medicare drug plans with an overall quality rating of 5 stars on Medicare.gov. Medicare uses star ratings from 1-5 to help you compare plans based on quality and performance. | Join a Medicare Advantage Plan, Medicare Cost Plan, or Medicare drug plan with an overall quality rating of 5 stars. | Once between December 8 of the year before the plan year and November 30 of the plan year. |
You have a chance to get other coverage Your plan changes its contract with Medicare
| If this happens... | You can... | At this time... |
|---|---|---|
| Medicare takes an official action (called a “sanction”) because of a problem with the plan that affects you. | Switch from your Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare drug plan to another plan. | Your chance to switch begins when the sanction is imposed and is available until the sanction ends or until you switch to another plan, whichever happens first. |
| Medicare ends (terminates) your plan’s contract. | Switch from your Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare drug plan to another plan. You’ll be enrolled in Original Medicare if you don’t join another Medicare Advantage Plan before your current plan ends. | Your chance to switch starts 1 month before the plan’s contract with Medicare ends, and ends 2 full months after the contract ends. |
| Your plan ends its contract with Medicare or your plan, and Medicare agrees to end the contract during the contract year. | Switch from your Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare drug plan to another plan. You’ll be enrolled in Original Medicare if you don’t join another Medicare Advantage Plan before your current plan ends. | Your chance to switch starts 2 months before and ends 1 full month after the contract ends. |
| Your Medicare Advantage Plan, Medicare drug plan, or Medicare Cost Plan’s contract with Medicare isn’t renewed. | Switch from your Medicare Advantage Plan, Medicare drug plan, or Medicare Cost Plan to another plan. You’ll be enrolled in Original Medicare if you don’t join another Medicare Advantage Plan before your current plan ends. | Between December 8 and the last day in February of the following year. |
If this describes you... You can... At this time... If this happens... You can... At this time...
You have a chance to get other coverage Drop your current Medicare Advantage Plan Whenever your Medicare takes an official action Switch from your Medicare Advantage Your chance to switch offered by your employer or union. or Medicare drug plan to enroll in the private employer or union (called a “sanction”) because of a Plan or Medicare drug plan to another begins when the sanction plan offered by your employer or union. allows you to enroll. problem with the plan that affects plan. is imposed and is available
You have or are getting other creditable Drop your current Medicare Advantage Plan Anytime. plan, whichever happens prescription drug coverage as good as with drug coverage or Medicare drug plan. first. Medicare drug coverage (like TRICARE or You’ll be enrolled in Original Medicare after VA coverage). you drop your Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage. You also can switch Medicare ends (terminates) your Switch from your Medicare Advantage Your chance to switch starts from a Medicare Advantage Plan with drug plan’s contract. Plan or Medicare drug plan to another 1 month before the plan’s coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan plan. You’ll be enrolled in Original contract with Medicare ends, without drug coverage. Medicare if you don’t join another and ends 2 full months after
You join a Program of All-inclusive Care Drop your current Medicare Advantage Plan Anytime. for the Elderly (PACE) Plan. or Medicare drug plan.
You live in the service area of one Join a Medicare Advantage Plan, Medicare Once between or more Medicare Advantage Plans Cost Plan, or Medicare drug plan with an December 8 of the or Medicare drug plans with an overall overall quality rating of 5 stars. year before the plan quality rating of 5 stars on Medicare.gov. year and November 30 of the plan year. Medicare uses star ratings from 1-5 to help you compare plans based on quality and performance.
Other special situations
| If this describes you… | You can... | At this time... |
|---|---|---|
| You’re in a plan that’s had a star rating of less than 3 stars for the last 3 years. | Switch from your Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare drug plan to another plan. | Any time you’re in the low performing plan. |
| You’re in a plan that the state recently took over because of financial issues. | Switch from your Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare drug plan to another plan. | The month the state action is effective until the state action is no longer in effect or until you join another plan, whichever happens first. |
| You have Medicare and Medicaid, or you get Extra Help paying for Medicare drug coverage. | • Join or switch to a different Medicare drug plan. • Drop a Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage and return to Original Medicare by joining a stand- alone Medicare drug plan. This Special Enrollment Period isn’t available to you if you’re identified as a “potential at-risk beneficiary” or “at-risk beneficiary” under the requirements for Part D drug management programs. You’ll get a letter from your plan if they identify you as “at-risk” or “potentially at-risk.” | If you have Medicaid or get Extra Help, you can make changes to your coverage once a calendar month. The change will take effect on the first day of the next month. |
| You have Medicare and get full Medicaid benefits. | Join or switch to a plan that combines your Medicare and Medicaid benefits and services and helps coordinate your care (called an integrated Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP)) if one’s available in your area. There are different types of integrated D-SNPs, but all must: • Give you one member ID card that works for both your Medicare and Medicaid coverage. • Offer a single health risk assessment that covers both programs. • Provide you with a care coordinator or case manager to help manage your health care and develop a personal care plan (a customized plan that covers your medical and social needs, health goals, and coordination of your care). • Have one appeals and grievance process that lets you file a complaint or appeal with your plan for any issue related to your Medicare or Medicaid coverage. | People who qualify for this Special Enrollment Period can join or switch to an integrated D-SNP once a calendar month. The change will take effect on the first day of the next month. This Special Enrollment Period must be used to align enrollment with the integrated D-SNP and Medicaid Managed Care Organization (MCO). |
| You find out that you won’t be eligible for Extra Help next year. | • Join a Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage or Medicare drug plan. • Switch from your current plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage or Medicare drug plan. • Drop your Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare. • Drop your Medicare drug plan. | Your chance to change plans lasts for 3 full months from the date you’re no longer eligible or the date you’re notified you’re no longer eligible, whichever is later. |
| You’re in a qualified State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program (SPAP). | Join either a Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage or a Medicare drug plan. | Once during the calendar year. |
| If this describes you… | You can... | At this time... |
|---|---|---|
| You’re in a qualified State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program (SPAP), and you lose SPAP eligibility. | Join either a Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage or a Medicare drug plan. | Your chance to switch starts the month you lose eligibility or the month you’re notified of the loss, whichever is earlier. It ends 2 months after either the month of the loss of eligibility or notification of the loss, whichever is later. |
| You have a severe or disabling condition, and there’s a Medicare Chronic Care Special Needs Plan (SNP) available that serves people with your qualifying condition. | Join a Medicare Chronic Care SNP that serves people with your condition. | You can join anytime, but once you join, your chance to make changes using this Special Enrollment Period ends. |
| You’re enrolled in a SNP and no longer have a condition that qualifies as a special need that the plan serves. | Join another type of Medicare Advantage Plan or a Medicare drug plan. | Your chance to switch starts the month you lose your special needs status. It ends when you join another plan or 3 calendar months after the effective date of your involuntary disenrollment from the SNP, whichever is earlier. |
| You joined a plan, or chose not to join a plan, due to an error, misrepresentation, or inaction by a federal employee or any person authorized by the federal government to act on its behalf. | • Join a Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage or a Medicare drug plan. • Switch from your current plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage or a Medicare drug plan. • Drop your Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage and return to Original Medicare. • Drop your Medicare drug plan. | Your chance to change coverage lasts for 2 full months after the month you get a notice of the error, misrepresentation, or inaction from Medicare. |
| You weren’t properly told by your plan that your other private drug coverage wasn’t as good as Medicare drug coverage (creditable coverage) or that you were losing private drug coverage that was creditable coverage. | Join a Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage or a Medicare drug plan. | Your chance to join lasts for 2 full months after the month you get a notice of the error from Medicare or your plan. |
| You can’t get premium-free Part A coverage, and you sign up for Medicare Part B during the General Enrollment Period (January 1–March 31). | Join a Medicare drug plan, or if you have Part A and Part B, a Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage. | From the date you submit your Part B application through the first 2 months of your Part B enrollment. |
| You sign up for Part A and/or Part B using an exceptional condition Special Enrollment Period, and you want to get a Medicare Advantage Plan or join a Medicare drug plan. | Join a Medicare drug plan, or if you have Part A and Part B, a Medicare Advantage Plan with or without drug coverage. | From the date you submit your Part A and/or Part B application through the first 2 months of your Part A and/or Part B enrollment. |
| If this describes you… | You can... | At this time... |
|---|---|---|
| You dropped a Medicare Supplemental Insurance (Medigap) policy the first time you joined a Medicare Advantage Plan and you’re still in a “trial period” and eligible for guaranteed issue of a Medigap policy. | Drop your Medicare Advantage Plan and enroll in Original Medicare. You’ll have special rights to buy a Medigap policy. | Your chance to drop your Medicare Advantage Plan lasts for 12 months after you join the Medicare Advantage Plan for the first time. |
| You joined a Medicare Advantage Plan when you were first eligible for Medicare at 65, and within the first year of joining, you decide you want to switch to Original Medicare. | Drop your Medicare Advantage Plan and enroll in Original Medicare. You’ll have special rights to buy a Medigap policy. | Your chance to drop your Medicare Advantage Plan lasts for 12 months after you join the Medicare Advantage Plan for the first time. |
*Note: For more information on when you can buy or change a Medigap policy visit Medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/ medigap/ready-to-buy/change-policies. Some people may have more rights under state law. To find out, check with your State Insurance Department or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Visit shiphelp.org to get the number for your local SHIP.
Medicare drug coverage (Part D) late enrollment penalty
The Part D late enrollment penalty is an amount that’s permanently added to your Medicare drug coverage (Part D) premium. You may have to pay a late enrollment penalty if you sign up for Part D any time after your Initial Enrollment Period if there’s a period of 63 or more days in a row when you don’t have Medicare drug coverage or other creditable prescription drug coverage.
Creditable prescription drug coverage is coverage that’s expected to pay, on average, at least as much as Medicare drug coverage. This could include drug coverage from a current or former employer or union, TRICARE, Indian Health Service, Veterans Administration, or individual health insurance coverage. If you have a Part D late enrollment penalty, you’ll generally have to pay the penalty for as long as you have Medicare drug coverage. For more information about the Part D late enrollment penalty, visit Medicare.gov/basics/costs/medicare-costs/avoid-penalties, or call 1-800-MEDICARE. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
Get more information
For information on:
- Medicare Advantage and other health plans, visit Medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/health-plans
- Medicare Drug Coverage (Part D), visit Medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/part-d
- When and how to join Medicare health or drug plans, visit Medicare.gov/basics/ get-started-with-medicare/get-more-coverage/joining-a-plan
- Finding Medicare health and drug plans, visit Medicare.gov/plan-compare
- Finding Medicare Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) plans, visit Medicare.gov/plan-compare/#/pace
Get Extra Help with drug costs
If you have limited income and resources, you may be able to get Extra Help paying your Medicare drug coverage costs. Extra Help pays your Medicare prescription drug premium, reduces your drug deductible to $0, and lowers your out-of-pocket drug costs. If you have Extra Help, you don’t pay a Part D late enrollment penalty. Even if you don’t think you qualify, you should still apply. You can apply for Extra Help at any time for free. To apply online, visit SSA.gov/extrahelp.
Source and further reading
Understanding Medicare Advantage & Medicare Drug Plan Enrollment Periods — Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Public domain U.S. government educational material, accessed October 28, 2026. Fynoptic has selected sections, removed print navigation, and reformatted the text for this guide. The agency does not endorse Fynoptic.