Medicare Enrollment: Don't Miss the Windows
Missing Medicare enrollment windows can mean lifetime penalties. The dates are strict.
You're not the only Arizona family navigating this. Hundreds of caregivers and older adults swap real-world advice every week in our free Arizona senior community.
What to know
- 1
Initial Enrollment Period: 7 months around your 65th birthday (3 before, your birth month, 3 after).
- 2
Annual Open Enrollment: Oct 15 – Dec 7 each year — change Advantage and Part D plans.
- 3
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: Jan 1 – Mar 31 — switch Advantage plans or return to Original Medicare.
- 4
Special Enrollment Periods exist if you lose employer coverage, move, or qualify for help with costs.
- 5
Late enrollment in Part B or Part D usually triggers a permanent monthly penalty added to your premium.
Frequently asked questions
When is my Medicare Initial Enrollment Period?+
It is a seven-month window: the three months before your 65th birthday month, your birth month, and the three months after.
What is the Annual Open Enrollment Period?+
October 15 through December 7 each year. During this window you can switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, change Advantage plans, or change Part D drug plans.
What happens if I enroll late?+
Late enrollment in Part B or Part D usually triggers a permanent monthly penalty added to your premium for as long as you have Medicare, unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
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