Most people can only change a Medicare plan at certain times of year. A Special Enrollment Period is the exception: something happens in your life, and a window opens. Here is every window, who it covers, how long it lasts and when new coverage actually starts.
Anyone on Medicare who wants to join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan.
October 15 through December 7. Coverage starts January 1. The last application on file wins.
Rule: 42 CFR § 422.62(a)(2) — Medicare Managed Care Manual, Ch. 2 § 30.2 — Annual Election Period. CMS source
Already in a Medicare Advantage plan on January 1 and wants one change.
January 1 through March 31, one change only. Coverage starts the first of the month after the application.
Rule: 42 CFR § 422.62(a)(3) — Medicare Managed Care Manual, Ch. 2 § 30.3 — MA Open Enrollment Period. CMS source
Missed their initial window for Part A or Part B and is signing up now.
January 1 through March 31. Part B starts the first of the month after signing up.
Rule: 42 CFR § 407.15 — Medicare & You handbook — General Enrollment Period. CMS source
Moved out of the plan's service area, moved somewhere with new plan options, or returned to the United States.
Because you've changed your permanent address, Medicare gives you a special enrollment period. It runs from the month before your move through two full months after, and coverage would start the first of the month after we submit.
A move inside the same service area with no new plan choices does not open this period on its own.
What to have ready
Rule: 42 CFR § 422.62(b)(1) — Medicare Managed Care Manual, Ch. 2 § 30.4.1 — Change of residence. CMS source
Retired, left a job, lost group coverage, or COBRA or retiree coverage ended.
Because your group coverage is ending, you have a special enrollment period. It stays open for two full months after the month that coverage ends, and the new plan would start the first of the month after we submit.
The window is counted from the end of the month coverage stops, not from the day they called.
What to have ready
Rule: 42 CFR § 422.62(b)(2)–(3) — Medicare Managed Care Manual, Ch. 2 § 30.4.4 — Loss of creditable coverage. CMS source
Has Medicaid or Extra Help with drug costs, or just gained, lost or changed that help.
Because of the help you get with your Medicare costs, you have a special enrollment period. You can make a change now, and the new plan would start the first of next month.
The once-a-quarter allowance covers the first three quarters only; a gain, loss or change of that help opens its own separate window.
What to have ready
Rule: 42 CFR § 423.38(c)(4) and (c)(15) — Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Manual, Ch. 3 § 30.3.5 — Dual eligible and LIS. CMS source
Has a severe or disabling condition a Chronic Condition Special Needs Plan is built for.
There's a plan built specifically for people managing that condition. If you qualify, you can join at any time of year once your doctor confirms the diagnosis.
Enrollment is not final until the provider confirms the diagnosis on the verification form.
What to have ready
Rule: 42 CFR § 422.62(b)(24) — Medicare Managed Care Manual, Ch. 16b § 20.2 — Chronic Condition SNP eligibility. CMS source
Missed another enrollment window because of a declared disaster or emergency where they live.
Because your area was under a declared emergency and it cost you an enrollment window, Medicare gives you extra time to make that change now.
They must have been eligible for another election period during the incident — the disaster alone is not enough.
What to have ready
Rule: 42 CFR § 422.62(b)(18) — Medicare Managed Care Manual, Ch. 2 § 30.4.8 — Government entity-declared disaster. CMS source
Lives in, is moving into, or is leaving a nursing home, skilled nursing facility or long-term care hospital.
While you're living in that facility you can change plans at any time, and you keep that right for two full months after you move out.
What to have ready
Rule: 42 CFR § 422.62(b)(6) — Medicare Managed Care Manual, Ch. 2 § 30.4.3 — Institutionalized individuals. CMS source
Wants to move to a plan rated five stars in their area.
There's a five-star rated plan available where you live, and Medicare lets you move to it once during the year outside the normal windows.
Available 8 December through 30 November, once per year.
What to have ready
Rule: 42 CFR § 422.62(b)(15) — Medicare Managed Care Manual, Ch. 2 § 30.4.9 — 5-star SEP. CMS source
Their plan is leaving the area, ending its contract, or was mis-sold or mis-enrolled.
Because of what happened with that plan, Medicare gives you a special enrollment period to choose something else.
A mis-enrollment or misled case is granted by Medicare case by case — set that expectation before you promise it.
What to have ready
Rule: 42 CFR § 422.62(b)(4) and (b)(8) — Medicare Managed Care Manual, Ch. 2 § 30.4.2 — Contract violations and non-renewals. CMS source
Turning 65, or just starting Part A and Part B.
You're in your initial enrollment window, which runs the three months before your birthday month through the three months after it.
What to have ready
Rule: 42 CFR § 422.62(a)(1) — ICEP; 42 CFR § 407.14 — Part B IEP — Medicare & You handbook — Signing up for Medicare. CMS source
The 48-hour wait between signing a Scope of Appointment and meeting an agent goes away, so an appointment can happen the same day the paperwork is signed. The enrollment windows themselves are unchanged. Dates on this page were last checked against CMS guidance for the 2027 plan year.
Licensed agent? Silent Echoes™ finds the election period live on the call and hands you the exact dates. See how it works.
This guide is general information, not legal or enrollment advice. Confirm your election period and its dates with the plan or with Medicare before you enrol.